CLIMBING OUT

Climbing Out

Opening your car door might seem like the simplest part of a journey, but it can be one of the most dangerous moments on a busy street. One thoughtless motion can injure a cyclist, strike a pedestrian, or cause a collision. This page reveals how a small change in habit can dramatically reduce those risks and help make our roads safer for everyone.

What is the safest way to open a car door in traffic? Why do so many accidents happen when someone opens a car door without checking? What is the Dutch Reach, and how does it help protect cyclists and pedestrians? Can a different hand position really make that much of a difference? How can passengers help prevent injuries simply by the way they exit the vehicle?

This page is valuable because it introduces a proven safety technique that is simple, effective, and easy to adopt. It empowers both drivers and passengers with a smarter, more mindful approach to exiting a vehicle, especially in urban areas where bicycles, scooters, and foot traffic share the road. If you're committed to safer streets and want to prevent avoidable injuries, this guidance is a crucial step toward more responsible road behavior.

🛈 Info:

⮟ Things to check before climbing out of a vehicle

? Questions:

⮟ What is the Dutch Reach method?

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🛈 Things to check before climbing out a vehicle

Before climbing out of a vehicle, it is important to follow these tips to ensure your safety and the safety of others:

If you have stopped in the sun, or in a position where the sun will reach during the period that you have parked, put up a Sun Shield, even if it is for a short time.
Secure any loose items: Before leaving the vehicle, make sure that any loose items, such as water bottles, bags, or papers, are secured or removed from the vehicle to prevent them from rolling or flying out of the vehicle.
Do NOT leave anything visible in the cabin that will be a temptation for thieves. Rather store in the trunk.
Check your surroundings: Before opening the door and exiting the vehicle, check your surroundings to make sure that there are no pedestrians, cyclists, or other vehicles nearby. Also be alert to any suspicious persons lurking in the vicinity of the vehicle.
Animals: Ensure that no animals will dash out the vehicle.
Unlock doors.
Use caution when exiting: When exiting the vehicle, use caution and be mindful of any obstacles, such as curbs or uneven terrain. Use the door handle or assistive handles to support yourself as you exit the vehicle.
Children:
For children in the back, the child locks should be on. Let them out while you supervise.
Don't leave children in the vehicle that could play with controls of the vehicle.

By following these tips, you can ensure that you exit the vehicle safely and reduce the risk of accidents, injuries, or criminality.

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? What is the Dutch Reach method?

The Dutch Reach is a simple and effective technique for safely opening a car door to prevent "dooring" accidents, which happen when a driver or passenger opens a vehicle door into the path of an oncoming cyclist.

How it works:
Instead of using the hand closest to the door (usually your left hand if you're the driver), you use your far hand (your right hand) to open the door. This action naturally causes your body to turn, making it easier to look over your shoulder and check for approaching cyclists or traffic before opening the door.

Why it matters:

It helps reduce injuries and deaths from dooring collisions.
It encourages situational awareness and reinforces safe driving habits.
It is commonly taught in driver education in the Netherlands, hence the name.

The Dutch Reach is a small change that can have a big impact on road safety, especially in cities with heavy bicycle traffic.

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