Caution Issued on Lack of Cares by Authorities
In the bustling streets of our cities, safety is paramount for all road users. One type of accident that has been a concern for cyclists and pedestrians is "dooring," where a cyclist collides with a suddenly opened car door. To address this issue, both cyclists and vehicle occupants can take preventive measures.
For cyclists, staying safe on the road involves riding outside the "door zone" - the area right next to parked cars where a door could suddenly open. Wearing bright, visible clothing and always wearing a helmet is also crucial. Cyclists should stay alert and ride defensively, anticipating that a driver or passenger may open a door unexpectedly. Using proper lights at night and maintaining your bicycle’s brakes regularly are also essential to ensure quick stopping ability.
Vehicle occupants, on the other hand, can adopt techniques to check for oncoming cyclists before opening doors. In some cities, bike lanes are created on the left side of parked cars to keep cyclists away from the door zone and between moving traffic, acting as a physical barrier.
The Dutch Grip technique is a specific method designed to prevent dooring accidents. Instead of opening the door with the hand closest to the door, occupants use the opposite hand to reach across their body to open the door. This method naturally forces the person to turn their body and look back over their shoulder, increasing the chance they will notice an approaching cyclist or pedestrian before opening the door.
The "Dutch Grip" method is not limited to exiting on the driver's side. When exiting on the passenger side, grasping the door handle with the left hand achieves the same effect of expanded field of vision and early detection of pedestrians, joggers, cyclists, or e-scooter riders.
The "Dutch Grip" method is a simple and effective way to reduce the risk of dooring accidents. It can be easily incorporated into the routine of exiting a vehicle, making it a practical solution to prevent these accidents. By reinforcing the preventive nature of dooring accidents, the Dutch Grip encourages drivers to be aware of their surroundings and the safety of cyclists and pedestrians.
In conclusion, avoiding dooring accidents relies on cyclist vigilance and position on the road, as well as vehicle occupants adopting safer door-opening practices like the Dutch Grip. By taking these preventive measures, we can make our roads safer for everyone.
In the realm of health-and-wellness and fitness-and-exercise, cyclists are advised to employ defensive riding techniques to avoid dooring incidents. This includes staying outside the "door zone," wearing visible clothing, always wearing a helmet, and using proper lights at night. On the other hand, vehicle occupants can incorporate science into their daily routine by adopting the Dutch Grip technique, a method that helps them check for oncoming cyclists before opening doors, thus ensuring the safety of all road users.
