Do you know the ‘Dutch reach’? Technique requiring drivers to look over their shoulder for cyclists set to be included in the new Highway Code
- The so-called ‘Dutch reach’ technique forces drivers to look over shoulder first
- Provides more protection for cyclists who might collide with open car doors
- British School of Motoring and AA Driving School have both introduced it
Most drivers are unaware of updated Highway Code guidance which urges them to protect cyclists by opening their car doors with their left hand.
The so-called ‘Dutch reach’ technique forces drivers to look over their shoulder first – providing more protection for cyclists who might otherwise collide with open car doors.
Former cycling minister Jesse Norman last year announced plans to write it into a new Highway Code, alongside minimum distances drivers should keep from cyclists when overtaking.
The so-called ‘Dutch reach’ technique forces drivers to look over their shoulder first – providing more protection for cyclists who might otherwise collide with open car doors (file image)
As a result of this, the British School of Motoring and AA Driving School have both introduced the Dutch reach in their lessons for new drivers.
It is expected to be fully included in the Highway Code from next year – one of a series of updates designed to reduce the number of ‘car-dooring incidents’.
However, a survey of almost 18,000 people by the AA Charitable Trust has found that 62 per cent of drivers have not heard of the technique.
The British School of Motoring and AA Driving School have both introduced the Dutch reach in their lessons for new drivers (file image)
Male drivers were more likely to have heard of the Dutch reach than females (71 per cent compared to 58 per cent).
Once the manoeuvre was explained to them, 62 per cent thought it should be taught in all driving lessons and 52 per cent thought it should be added to the Highway Code.
Department for Transport figures showed between 2011 and 2015, a total of eight people died and 3,108 were injured as a result of collisions between cyclists and car doors.
Edmund King, director of the AA Charitable Trust, said: ‘Harmony between different road users should be the goal for everyone.
‘Making a simple change to the way you open a car door can have a significant impact on the safety of those on two wheels. We already teach all our AA and BSM driving instructors this technique and hope others will also adopt it.
‘Using the Dutch Reach is straightforward – simply open your car door with the hand that is furthest from the door. It will force you to turn, enabling you to very quickly check if a cyclist or motorcyclist is approaching.
‘It’s really just down to habit – and it’s a habit we should be trying to adopt. Putting it into the Highway Code will help to get it into the minds of car drivers and passengers.’