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Question

Difficulty: MediumCyclists

You have parked your car parallel to the kerb on the left-hand side of a road. According to the Highway Code, what should you do when opening the driver's door to protect approaching cyclists?

  1. A
    Open the door slightly using your right hand while checking only the interior rear-view mirror
  2. Use your left hand to open the door so that your body naturally turns to look over your right shoulderAnswer
  3. C
    Push the door open quickly with your right elbow to minimise the time the door stays open
  4. D
    Check your driver's door mirror only and push the door fully open with your right hand

Answer

Use your left hand to open the door so that your body naturally turns to look over your right shoulder.
Under Highway Code Rule 239, drivers and passengers should use the 'Dutch Reach' method where possible: opening the door with the hand opposite to the door being opened. For a driver in a right-hand drive vehicle, using the left hand rotates the body and head clockwise, ensuring a direct physical check over the right shoulder into the blind spot to see any approaching cyclists.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the hazard when opening a vehicle door into the road
Opening a driver's door on the road side creates an immediate collision hazard for approaching cyclists in the door zone.
Cyclists riding along the road may not have sufficient time or space to avoid a door opened directly in their path.
2
Apply the Highway Code recommended procedure for opening vehicle doors
Reaching across the body with the hand furthest from the door (the left hand for a driver in a right-hand drive car) naturally turns the head and upper torso.
This movement, known as the 'Dutch Reach', provides a clear view of the blind spot over the right shoulder before the latch is released.

Key Concept

Using the Dutch Reach technique to protect cyclists when opening vehicle doors (Highway Code Rule 239)
Estimated Time:45s
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Topics

Cyclists

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