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Highway Code changes: what is the Dutch Reach and will drivers be fined £1,000 if they don't use it?

With days to go until Highway Code changes aimed at protecting vulnerable road users come into effect, we ask what is the 'Dutch Reach' and will drivers be forced to use it?...

In a few days changes to the Highway Code will come into force, including the recommendation for motorists to use the 'Dutch Reach' to avoid dooring a passing cyclist.

But what is the Dutch Reach? And why have several major newspapers wrongly claimed that drivers face fines if they do not use it?

As per 'Rule 239' of the proposed Highway Code changes, which aim to better protect vulnerable road users...

Where you are able to do so, you should open the door using your hand on the opposite side to the door you are opening; for example, use your left hand to open a door on your right-hand side.

This will make you turn your head to look over your shoulder. You are then more likely to avoid causing injury to cyclists or motorcyclists passing you on the road, or to people on the pavement.

Without using the term Dutch Reach, this is what the Highway Code alteration is outlining: a simple method taught to learner drivers in the Netherlands to better see blind spots and reduce the chance of opening your door into a passing cyclist, possibly with fatal consequences.

In video format...

 Will drivers have to use the Dutch Reach?

If you have been reading national newspapers, or their online equivalent, this week then you may have seen headlines claiming motorists will now be slapped with £1,000 fines if they do not use the Dutch Reach.

> Press misrepresents Highway Code changes – just days before they come into force

The Evening Standard recently published a story titled 'New Highway Code rule will fine drivers £1,000 for opening door with wrong hand', while the Express ran 'POLL: Do you support new fine for opening car with wrong hand as cyclists given priority?'

The truth? It is already an offence to open a car door, or cause or permit it to be opened, so as to cause injury, punishable by a maximum fine of £1,000.

It is not a new law and drivers who do not use the Dutch Reach technique will not be fined, unless they commit the aforementioned existing offence.

But when the adoption of a simple technique can help avoid the consequences of hitting — potentially seriously injuring or killing a fellow road user — why wouldn't you?

As one road.cc reader commented on one of our stories recently: "The Dutch reach is a sensible way of achieving proper observation before opening a door. This should help drivers and passengers avoid opening a door in such a way as it endangers or obstructs road or pavement users. It is not a "driver vs cyclist" matter."

The Dutch Reach has been misrepresented by national news outlets before. In 2018, The Sun claimed it "involves motorists winding down the window and opening the door from the outside using their left hand."

How do you feel about the Highway Code changes? Do you have concerns about the lack of publicity campaign? Will the changes make Britain's roads safer for vulnerable road users?

Dan joined road.cc in 2020, and spent most of his first year (hopefully) keeping you entertained on the live blog. At the start of 2022 he took on the role of news editor. Before joining road.cc, Dan wrote about various sports, including football and boxing for the Daily Express, and covered the weird and wonderful world of non-league football for The Non-League Paper. Part of the generation inspired by the 2012 Olympics, Dan has been 'enjoying' life on two wheels ever since and spends his weekends making bonk-induced trips to the petrol stations of the south of England.

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10 comments

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OurizoMax | 2 years ago
2 likes

If car brands put the door opener close to your left ( or right) shoulder, everybody will be doing this. As easy as that.

Avatar
I love my bike replied to OurizoMax | 2 years ago
1 like

OurizoMax wrote:

If car brands put the door opener close to your left ( or right) shoulder, everybody will be doing this. As easy as that.

If car brands put dampers on the doors, nobody would be able to fling them open & door anything passing. Maybe motorise them, like many rear hatches?

Car drivers have a glass windscreen directly in front of them, but still collide with absurd regularity! Looking & seeing are not the same.

Avatar
Mungecrundle | 2 years ago
5 likes

This was the method of opening a car door that we were shown to use when visiting Iceland. Not so much for fear of dooring a cyclist but for the very real circumstance of having the wind rip the door from your hand and then off the vehicle.

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JustTryingToGet... | 2 years ago
9 likes

Don't deck someone with your car door. The method you use is up to you but some people find this helpful.

If you do deck someone with a car door, you are responsible for the injuries you cause. You knob.

Avatar
Hirsute replied to JustTryingToGetFromAtoB | 2 years ago
1 like

I think you'll find it is the cyclist's fault for being too close.

In the event of another driver removing your door as they drive past, then clearly they hit you so it is also their fault.

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OnYerBike | 2 years ago
0 likes

As per my comment yesterday, I'm still dubious about the benefits of the Dutch Reach, in comparison to properly checking the mirrors (and blind spot). I note that in the video above, the driver sticks their head right out of the open window to look behind. In the still image at the top of this article demonstrates nicely the pillars blocking the view (it looks to me like the driver in that photo is looking out of the gap of the open door - I would argue you should check for cyclists before opening the door at all). Cycling UK's video features a convertible car with no pillars to obstruct the view (https://www.cyclinguk.org/dutchreach

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mdavidford replied to OnYerBike | 2 years ago
0 likes

In the video, it specifically mentions that this technique turns you to scan the side view mirror and look behind you - the HC text fails to mention the mirror, which seems like the more useful point, given that, as you say "look[ing] over your shoulder" tends to just give you a view of the door pillar.

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Michael Charney replied to OnYerBike | 2 years ago
0 likes

Agreed.  The Mass DOT video errs in illustrating with an open window.  RoSPA did a really nice presentation using a dutch driving instructor here: https://www.bbc.com/news/av/world-europe-41201002?piano-modal  It includes mirror checks etc.

Yes, the B-pillar is problematic but not insurmountable.  Use of the far hand curbs door fling & limit initial opening. Once nudged open, you get a clear shoulder-check view back and cyclists may also get warned by it.  The DR also should include wing mirror use as in fact it forces a swivel towards the mirror encouraging its use.  

Other thorough & accurate demo videos for the Dutch Reach can be found on the Dutch Reach Project website:  www.dutchreach.org .  I recommend the National Safety Council's  'Far Hand Reach' here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TcFIg1uf1Cs&t=5s

 

Avatar
brooksby | 2 years ago
6 likes

Quote:

The truth? It is already an offence to open a car door, or cause or permit it to be opened, so as to cause injury, punishable by a maximum fine of £1,000.

It is not a new law and drivers who do not use the Dutch Reach technique will not be fined, unless they commit the aforementioned existing offence.

And yet you'd never know that if you read the current batch of tabloids...  Or listened to TalkRadio.

Avatar
jh2727 replied to brooksby | 2 years ago
0 likes

brooksby wrote:

Quote:

The truth? It is already an offence to open a car door, or cause or permit it to be opened, so as to cause injury, punishable by a maximum fine of £1,000.

It is not a new law and drivers who do not use the Dutch Reach technique will not be fined, unless they commit the aforementioned existing offence.

And yet you'd never know that if you read the current batch of tabloids...  Or listened to TalkRadio.

I find it astounding that so much of the media is focussing on the £1,000 fine (which is unchanged) and rather than the fact that you could kill or seriously injure someone (also unchanged).

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