Experts note that dooring accidents are among the most common bicycle and vehicle accidents causing injuries in many cities worldwide, stating that it is prohibited to open a vehicle door and alight from a vehicle in a way that endangers other road users.
Emphasizing the importance of the driver checking the side mirror and doing a shoulder check before opening the door, OHS Expert Dr. Lecturer Rüştü Uçan said, “The use of the Dutch Reach (far hand method) has been recommended for exiting vehicles. Cyclists are also advised to avoid the door zone of stopped or parked vehicles.”
Head of the Occupational Health and Safety Department at Üsküdar Üniversitesi Faculty of Health Sciences, Dr. Lecturer Rüştü Uçan, evaluated vehicle dooring accidents.
Who is at fault in a potential dooring accident?
Dr. Lecturer Rüştü Uçan stated that there are specific rules regarding the opening of vehicle doors worldwide, adding that the answer to 'who is responsible in a potential dooring accident caused by a taxi driver, a passenger opening the door, or a motorcycle courier' varies according to the laws of the country where it occurs. Dr. Lecturer Rüştü Uçan noted that in such a potential accident, the taxi driver is found at fault in England, the passenger opening the door in Australia, and the motorcycle driver in the USA.
It is forbidden to alight without ensuring no danger to other road users!
Stating that many countries worldwide adhere to the Vienna Convention, Dr. Lecturer Rüştü Uçan said, “It is forbidden to open a vehicle door, leave it open, or alight from a vehicle without ensuring that it will not endanger other road users.”
Dr. Lecturer Rüştü Uçan also mentioned that this issue is referred to as 'Dooring' in basic OHS safe driving practices. He explained, “Dooring is the act of opening a motor vehicle door into the path of another road user. For a vehicle with sliding doors or gull-wing doors, this risk can be almost zero. This is also the purpose of the sliding door in commercial cars.”
Dooring accidents are among the most common accidents…
Noting that 'Dooring' accidents are among the most common and injury-causing bicycle and vehicle accidents in many cities worldwide, Dr. Uçan said, “Any passing vehicle can also collide with a negligently opened or left-open door, causing damage, injuring or killing the driver or passenger exiting.”
Using the Dutch Reach (far hand method) for exiting vehicles
Dr. Lecturer Rüştü Uçan stated that doors could be prevented from closing if the driver checks their side mirror or does a shoulder check before opening the door. He added, “The use of the Dutch Reach (far hand method) has been recommended to prevent dooring, as it combines both precautions. Since cyclists cannot rely on motor vehicle occupants taking the necessary precautions when exiting their vehicles, cyclists are advised to avoid the door zone of stopped or parked vehicles.”
Seeing and safely reacting to a suddenly opened door is rarely possible!
Dr. Lecturer Rüştü Uçan stated that it would rarely be possible to see and safely react to a suddenly opened door, and continued:
“Traffic cycling and motorcycling training programs teach cyclists and motorcyclists to ride in the safe zone or in the travel lane well outside the door zone when measured from the end of the handlebar.
How should a painted bike lane be?
Since urban planners often paint bicycle and motorcycle lanes in the door opening zone, many bicycle and motorcycle safety advocates advise cyclists and motorcyclists to still maintain a safe distance from car doors and to disregard such markings when doing so.”
Dr. Lecturer Rüştü Uçan also said that doors left open could slam shut due to wind, injuring pedestrians.
