4 ms·
> leaving you susceptible to parked car doors suddenly opening Dutch driving instructors teach 'the Dutch reach'. You get into the habit of opening the car doo
by pul 7y ago
> leaving you susceptible to parked car doors suddenly opening
Dutch driving instructors teach 'the Dutch reach'. You get into the habit of opening the car door with your left hand, so you'll automatically look for cyclists that may be passing by.
- scarejunba 7y agoI got a Lyft notification telling me about that the other day.
- adwi 7y agoLeft hand if you’re on the right (passenger seat) side of the vehicle. If you’re on the driver side you use your right. The intent is that it forces you to twist your body to see what’s coming behind you before you open.
- consp 7y agoUnfortunately it works less well with the American style magnifying outside mirrors. The non magnifying give you a bit better overview in that case as cyclists (and pedestrians) come from everywhere where you don't expect them.
- thanatos519 7y agoI thought the point of the Dutch Reach is that you look in the mirror and keep twisting so you're looking backwards as you open the door. Mind you, I can't remember the last time I was in a car, so I could be getting it wrong. «I can't remember the last time I was in a car» ← the real benefit of living in a city made for humans!
- consp 7y agoI was taught to first look in the mirror to see oncoming traffic from behind and then look over your shoulder and afterwards open the door. Yes you can force that by using your opposite hand but that is just a trick to force you to look which you should do anyways no matter what hand you use.
- Fronzie 7y agoI've always lived in the Netherlands, but I've never seen anyone opening a door that way. We do, however, look in the rearview mirrors before opening the door.
- pul 7y agoI too live in the Netherlands and always do this. Guess it's not as common as I thought then.