what a good idea!
Every now and again you, or I see something that makes you think and say to yourself, I'll do that.
This link here has a good video on it. It's about opening your driver's car door with the hand furthest away to force or help you a little to look behind for cyclists and motorbikes.
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post edit, it appears this could be part of the driving test.
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I'm not sure that it is that good!
I have just tried it, and frankly I cannot see that the proposal assists safety in respect of the conduct of the drivers of cars. - Like most cars produced today, my car has excellent door mirrors, fitted specifically to provide clear and unobstructed views along both the nearside and offside of the vehicle. My training was such that I would never open my door without checking that it is safe to do so. However the suggestion does have more application in respect of a passenger sitting in the offside rear of the car. They do not have the advantage of mirrors, and so can, if not advised by the driver, open their door into the path of a cyclist. I have always made it clear to rear seat passengers, not to open their door unless they are sure that it is safe, or have been advised by me that it is safe to do so.
There is also a responsibility on the cyclist to take some responsibility for their own safety. If travelling at a reasonable pace in traffic, they will be able to spot the occupied vehicle and treat the potential danger accordingly.
All road users have the ultimate responsibility for their own and other road users safety. The safe driver will be aware of such matters when opening doors. I remain to be convinced that the sort of person who negligently opens his or her door into the path of any other road user will be any safer by the use of this method of opening a door. Certainly in my car, by swivelling in my seat, because of the vehicles bodywork, I have a less clear view than I do by checking in my mirrors!
TF
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The procedure is sponsored by the British Orthopedic Association.
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cyberyacht, Thank you for that, but I'm afraid that I fail to see your point in connection furthering essential road safety.
I am entirely behind that aim, but as you are aware I do have some experience in road safety issues, and I simply do not see that this is a practise which would really further that aim. I am aware that the current driving test is under review, and as a result there may be some changes coming, but I really do not think that this suggestion will help.
What will help is a heightened awareness by all classes of road user, of the needs and vulnerability of the very vulnerable cyclist.
But as I said in my earlier post, that also requires the active participation of the cyclists themselves .
In recent years the cycling groups have been very successful in persuading their members to become more visible. Cycle and personal lighting has improved dramatically in recent years. But very few carry bells to warn other users of their presence, most just rely on hurling abuse!
However the real problem here in the greater Bristol area is a serious outbreak of colour blindness. I drove into the City centre this morning negotiating in the 10 mile journey, at least 20 sets of traffic lights. NOT ONE of the many cyclists that I saw on the same journey actually stopped at a red light! I really don't know how many cyclists were killed and injured ignoring traffic signals during the same period as the one that resulted in this idea, but it must be a few. The one thing that I must say though, is that these colour blind cyclists really do possess a huge amount of luck and skill in avoiding other motorists! Not sure what their blood pressure is but I bet a few motorists found theirs raised!
TF
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interesting comments, it did talk of blindspots even with using mirrors
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Dave, I will accept without demur that the elderly driver can be a hazard. But at 72, with 1.25 million miles behind me, and no accidents or convictions in the the 55 years that I have been driving some exceptionally powerful cars, I will state that the most important faculty is "Situational Awareness". I still have it, and am more than happy to re-sit my Institute of advanced motorists test at any time. I was a Police class 1 driver, a fact that gives me immense pride. BUT there is no escaping Anno Dominii and I would be the first to recognise the fact that my skills are diminishing!
Because of that I have sworn that it will be with great regret that I post my still clean license back to the DVLA. The total shame of having it spoilt after all this time would not be something that i could manage.
That time has not yet come, but it will!
TF
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I agree with you TF that you should always be fully aware of what is behind you but some do not do that so I still think it is a good idea, with your head facing the window you might see or rather notice a cyclist approaching with your peripheral vision and just stop opening the door?
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I think that vision to the rear really depends on the vehicle that you are driving. As I said right from the start, I was interested enough to go out to my car and experiment with the field of vision via my large door mirrors, and then after when using the "Dutch hand" suggestion. My car is a fairly large 4x4 and has very strong but thick pillars and bodywork. The view to the rear using the proposed method was quite frankly poor. Certainly not as good as through the mirrors. Many of the larger SUV's have door mirrors designed to assist drivers to reverse. They provide a much greater field of vision, than door mirrors fitted to many smaller cars.
TF
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As motorists I always try to be aware of whats going on around me and applaud any effort to reduce road casualties.
My problem is that as motorists we keep having reminders/signs about bikers.motorcyclists but I never see road signs that say anything about those users being aware of cars or obeying the law/highway code. When did you last see a court case where the cyclist broke the law.
Anecdotally I would say more than 75% break the speed limited excessively, particularly in built up areas.
I think there has to be a focused balance as we are all road users
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It was on the news yesterday mainly because someone had lost their 27 year old son in a car door accident. He was knocked off his bike by a door and thrown into the path of another vehicle with fatal results. It is worth reminding everyone I think due to several avoidable deaths every year.
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When did you last see a cyclist look behind to see if its safe to pull out to the right to pass parked vehicles?
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