The Dutch Reach

[oldtom]

The BBC has an item in amongst their propaganda 'news' today about the painful and sometimes fatal problem of a car door being opened in front of an oncoming cyclist. There are several videos online, of which this is one, describing a way to possibly avoid such incidents - I prefer that word to 'accident' as I always feel that such collisions are effectively potential manslaughter situations born out of stupidity and careless disregard for the safety of other road users.

Tom

 

[tommie]

so they don`t put mirrors on cars over in the EU now??

just another good reason to wave them goodbye.... lol!

 

[danielrlee]

Some might be more familiar with this version:

 

[flecc]

I don't think it a joke.

A side mirror alone is sometimes not enough, a cyclist can pop out from just behind a car in the moment of opening a door wide, especially if the cyclist is fast moving as seems the common British custom now.

That slightly opened door can also warn a cyclist in that moment of danger, enabling them to avoid it.
.

 

[Deleted member 4366]

Some might be more familiar with this version:

Yes, I never could figure out why they put them on the top shelf because those that wanted them had arms that were too tired to reach.

 

[gray198]

I always treat all parked cars with suspicion and try to keep wide enough to not collide should door be opened.