A Small Habit That Could Save a Life: Why My Friend the Cop Says to Always Use Your Right Hand to Open the Car Door
It started with a casual coffee chat—just me and an old friend from high school who’s now a police officer. We were talking about random safety habits when he suddenly said something I’ll never forget:
“Always open your car door with your right hand. It could save someone’s life.”
At first, I was confused. Was this some kind of inside joke or trick? But no—he was serious. And as he explained, I realized it’s one of the simplest, smartest safety habits every driver should know. It’s called the Dutch Reach, and it’s something that’s been saving lives in the Netherlands for decades.
So what exactly is the Dutch Reach?
It’s a small change in the way you open your car door. If you’re the driver in a country where the steering wheel is on the left, instead of using your left hand to open the door (which is natural), you use your right hand—the one farther from the door.
This forces you to turn your body slightly, making you automatically look over your shoulder. And that quick twist gives you a clear view of your blind spot—the exact place where a cyclist, scooter rider, or even another vehicle might be passing by.
Why does this matter?
Because “dooring” accidents—when someone opens a car door into a passing cyclist—are far more common than most people realize. In a split second, an innocent biker can be thrown off balance, injured, or worse. And many times, the driver never even saw them coming.
But the Dutch Reach adds a simple, automatic check to your routine. You don’t have to memorize anything new. You just reach across your body, open the door, and look naturally. It takes one second—but that second can mean the difference between a normal day and a tragic accident.
And this habit isn’t just for drivers.
Passengers, especially those sitting on the street side of the car, should use it too. Kids, rideshare passengers, elderly family members—everyone can benefit from learning this little trick.
Public safety campaigns around the world are now encouraging people to make the Dutch Reach part of their daily routine. Cities like Chicago and San Francisco have even included it in driver’s ed materials. And in the Netherlands, where it originated, it’s taught from a young age and has helped dramatically reduce door-related bike accidents.
The best part?
It’s free, easy, and takes zero effort to learn. All it takes is remembering: Use your far hand. Open the door. Look back. Stay safe.
Next time you’re about to exit a vehicle, pause for just a moment. Try the Dutch Reach. You might not think it’s a big deal—but to someone coming down the bike lane, it might be the move that keeps them safe.
Sometimes, the tiniest habits can carry the biggest impact.
