Dutch Reach

JohnM20

Does anyone practice the (slightly) recently promoted 'Dutch Reach' when opening their car door? Personally I can see no advantage in doing this, particularly in my car which has quite a thick door pillar which blocks the view. I've found it far, far better to carry on with the method I have used for many years and that is to look in the door mirror. It gives a much better view of traffic of any sort approaching from the rear.

 

Tinwheeler

Err, what? I think you need to explain for the benefit of folk like me, John.

SteveL

Totally agree John. The door pillars obscure, more than if I use the quite large door mirrors. To me the practice seems more designed for rear and front seat passengers, who don’t have the full benefit of the mirrors coverage.

SteveL

It’s a practice first used and taught in the Netherlands, where you open the door with your hand furthest from it. This means you turn your body and can look towards the rear for any cyclist approaching, or person on the pavement.

Tinwheeler

Thanks, Steve.👍

I think you'd need to be a bit of a contortionist to do that in some vehicles and anyone suffering from back trouble will have problems. 

I'll stick with using mirrors and taking care 👍

DavidKlyne

I think the point of it is that using that method it is more difficult to push the door wide open as quickly as you could with your righthand. Clearly there are many people that don't use their mirrors otherwise I assume they wouldn't be introducing new rules? Its only an extension of undoing your seat belt? I don't often parallel park but the risk is on busy roads with the increasing number of cyclists. 

David

SteveL

To me the more important thing is to be sure there isn’t a cyclist approaching. As soon as a door starts to open even if only a little a cyclist is likely to swerve out, possibly putting themselves into danger. I can do that most effectively with my door mirror. I certainly don’t turn as I release my seatbelt, although I do hold onto it as it retracts, or it whacks  the window.

EmilysDad

Google it .... 🙄

Tinwheeler

No need. Steve was kind enough to post constructively explaining it for the benefit of us all.👍🏻 

redface

I somehow think that I will continue my current practice which has so far failed to knock a cyclist off his/her bike nor caused a passing car to rip my drivers door off.

I just look in my external RV mirror and check!

ABM

That's the advantage of my Ducato --  there are two (2) separately adjustable mirrors within the door mounted housing. They are individually aimed by the driver so even I can check who's sneaking up on me   even pesky cyclists  AND I can check on who is sneaking up on the passenger-side too   !