‘Car dooring’ is putting cyclists’ lives at risk – but opening doors like the Dutch could prevent accidents

BRITS should be taught how to open car doors like the Dutch to save the lives of cyclists and motorbike riders, a charity has claimed.

New drivers should learn the “Dutch reach” technique as part of getting a licence to stop knocking down passers-by.

The safer method – popular in the Netherlands – allows you look behind while opening the door and stops it swinging too far open.

The idea is you reach for the door with your far hand – as a driver that’s your left hand and as a passenger your right.

It twists your body so you can see if there’s somebody coming along rather than letting the door wildly swing open.

Department for Transport figures show between 2011 and 2015, there were more than 3,000 injuries and eight fatalities where “vehicle door opened or closed negligently” was listed in police reports.

Cyclists accounted for 2,000 of these injuries and five deaths.

And campaigners want a new law introduced for causing death or serious injury through negligently opening a car door – and the technique to be taught as part of the driving test.

Drivers currently face a maximum penalty of just £1,000 even if a cyclist is killed or seriously injured.

Paul Tuohy, Cycling UK’s chief executive, said: “Some people seem to see car dooring as a bit of a joke, but it’s not and can have serious consequences.

“Cycling UK wants to see greater awareness made about the dangers of opening your car door negligently, and people to be encouraged to look before they open.

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“In the Netherlands they are known for practising a method, known sometimes as the Dutch Reach, which we think could be successfully encouraged in the UK.

AA president Edmund King added: “We know car dooring can be dangerous, so drivers, passengers and those on two wheels need to be alert to the dangers.”