Why You Should Always Use Your Right Hand to Open Your Car Door The Simple Habit That Could Prevent a Serious Accident
Why You Should Always Use Your Right Hand to Open Your Car Door
The Simple Habit That Could Prevent a Serious Accident
Getting out of your car feels automatic—something you do without a second thought. But this small, everyday action could actually put others in danger. The way you open your car door may seem unimportant, yet it’s a frequent cause of serious accidents, especially in cities full of cyclists and scooter riders.
A police officer friend once shared a simple piece of advice that completely changed how I exit my car. It’s so effective that road safety experts around the world now recommend it. Here it is:
Always open your car door with your right hand.
At first, it might sound oddly specific—why the right hand? But once you understand the reasoning, it makes perfect sense. And like me, you’ll probably wonder why no one ever told you sooner.
Why Using Your Left Hand Can Be Dangerous
As a driver, it’s natural to use your left hand to open the door—it’s closer and feels easier. But that’s exactly the problem. When you use your left hand, you stay facing forward. You don’t turn your body or look back before opening the door.
That simple habit can cause serious harm.
Without checking behind you, you might swing your door right into the path of an oncoming cyclist, scooter rider, or car. These incidents—called “dooring accidents”—can lead to devastating injuries and are far more common than most people realize, particularly in busy urban areas.
The “Dutch Reach”: A Smarter, Safer Way
The safety technique my friend mentioned is known as the Dutch Reach, a method popularized in the Netherlands, where cycling is part of everyday life.
Instead of using your left hand (closest to the door), you reach across your body with your right hand to open it. This small change forces your body to rotate, which naturally makes you:
Turn your shoulders
Twist your torso
Glance over your shoulder and check your mirror
This built-in movement ensures you automatically look for oncoming cyclists or vehicles before opening your door—dramatically reducing the risk of an accident.
A Global Safety Standard
The Dutch Reach isn’t just a clever trick—it’s recognized worldwide as a proven safety practice. In the Netherlands, it’s part of the official driving test. Other countries, including the U.S. and the UK, have started adding it to driver education materials and road safety campaigns.
It’s a simple adjustment that saves lives.
A Small Habit with a Big Impact
Even if you’re not a cyclist, adopting this habit helps protect those who are. As cities grow busier and more people use bikes and scooters, we all share the same roads. Something as ordinary as opening a car door without looking could cause serious harm—but preventing it takes only seconds.
Make it second nature: reach with your right hand, turn, and check. After just a few days, it’ll feel completely natural—and every time you do it, you’re helping make the roads safer for everyone.
From Unaware to Aware—One Simple Change
I’ll admit, I never thought about how I opened my car door before learning this. But once I understood the risk, I couldn’t ignore it. Now, I’ll never go back.
The right-hand method isn’t just about safety—it’s about mindfulness, awareness, and respect for others on the road.
So next time you park, remember this simple rule:
Use your right hand. Look back. Protect a life.
It takes only a moment—but that moment could save someone’s life.
