The way we step out of our car is something most of us do without thinking. It’s an action we perform automatically every single day. However, a surprising number of serious accidents happen not because of a bad driver, but simply because of the way someone opens their door.
This crucial piece of safety advice—which I first heard from a friend of mine who’s a police officer—is so important that it’s being adopted by safety experts all over the world. The advice is simple: you should only open your car door with your right hand.
At first, this might sound oddly specific and maybe even a little strange. Why would one hand be better than the other? The reason is completely based on safety and human nature. Once you understand the explanation, it really does make perfect sense, and like me, now I can’t believe I never knew this before.
The Unseen Danger of the “Mindless” Door Open
When you are the driver and your car is parked, your left hand is naturally closer to the door handle. It feels quicker and easier to just reach out with your left hand, pull the lever, and push the door open.
But here is the danger in this simple, natural action: using the left hand often means you do not turn your body. You simply swing the door open without carefully checking the space behind your car.
This action creates a major safety risk. There could be cyclists, delivery riders, people on scooters, or even a passing car coming up right alongside your vehicle. When someone opens a car door directly into the path of another road user, it is known as a “dooring accident.” These types of accidents can cause very serious injuries, especially to vulnerable road users like cyclists, and they are happening much more often than many people realize in busy urban areas.
Understanding the Life-Saving “Dutch Reach” Technique
The simple but highly effective technique that the police officer described is formally known in traffic safety circles around the world as the Dutch Reach.
Instead of reaching for the driver’s side door handle with your close, convenient left hand, you make the deliberate effort to use your right hand instead.
Why does this small change have such a massive impact on safety?
Reaching across your body with your right hand actually forces your entire body to shift. This movement naturally causes you to do three critical things:
- Turn your shoulders
- Swivel your head naturally
- Look over your shoulder and into your mirror
That tiny physical adjustment turns what was a thoughtless, quick movement into a built-in safety check. It makes you far more likely to spot any approaching vehicle, bicycle, or scooter before you ever open the door even an inch.
A Global Standard Backed by Safety Experts
The Dutch Reach is not just a clever tip or a neat trick your local officer happened to mention. It is a fundamental practice that has been taught for years in the Netherlands, a country where cycling is a huge part of everyday life. In fact, it is reportedly a required part of the driving license test for new drivers there.
Because of its proven effectiveness, the method has been officially promoted internationally by many different road safety organizations. It has also been included in official driving manuals and educational materials in countries like the United States and the UK. It is a universally accepted best practice for reducing collisions.
Why This Habit Matters to Everyone
Even if you do not personally ride a bike, this simple, mindful habit of using the right hand can dramatically reduce the chance of causing an accident and, potentially, save lives.
Today, cities everywhere are seeing a major increase in people using all forms of transportation, including more cyclists, e-scooter riders, and motorcycles. The roads are getting busier, and we are all sharing that space.
A split second of inattention when opening your door is all it takes to cause a painful collision that could seriously injure another person and change their life forever. Simply switching hands when you open your door can drastically reduce that risk for everyone on the road.
The best part about adopting this safety measure is that it doesn’t take long to master. Once you start doing it, it quickly becomes second nature. Before you know it, you won’t even think about it—you’ll just automatically twist and check before opening your door.
I will happily admit it: I’d never once thought about how I opened my car door. But now, thanks to the simple lesson from a police officer, I’ll never do it the same way again. From now on, it’s a commitment to right hand only.
It is a small habit change, but one that can have a huge impact. The next time you put your car in park, remember the rule: reach with your right, save a life.
