Preventing dooring the Dutch way
Road safety is everyone’s business! Every action can improve road safety, no matter if you’re in a car, on foot, on a bike, or on a motorcycle. That is why we are supporting the new campaign by Vélo Québec and Société de l’assurance automobile du Québec (SAAQ) to raise awareness of the Dutch Reach among motorists. We know what you’re thinking: “What on earth is the Dutch Reach”? It’s a simple and effective manoeuvre that involves turning your body before opening the door with the hand further from the door. As its name suggests, this technique hails from the Netherlands—a country that has much to teach us about motorists and cyclists coexisting harmoniously. The Dutch Reach widens the field of vision in the blind spot and rear-view mirror and helps reduce the number of dooring accidents.
But what exactly is “dooring”?
Dooring occurs when a cyclist hits a car door that was opened too suddenly, or when a cyclist is struck by a nearby vehicle while attempting to gain enough clearance to avoid being doored. Dooring is one of the most common accidents in major North American and European cities. Using the Dutch Reach can prevent it from happening. As many as 125 cases a year have been reported in Montreal since 2013, resulting in serious injury and sometimes death. And it’s safe to assume that the number of cases is even higher because minor injuries are not reported. With cycling as a means of transportation increasing in popularity, we take every idea for better sharing the road to heart. SAAQ’s most recent road safety record shows that more and more cyclists are victims of accidents on Quebec roads.
“In supporting Vélo Québec and the SAAQ through this awareness campaign, we are showing just how important this simple yet life-saving gesture is to us. Sharing the road harmoniously is critical to improving the road safety record and reducing injuries and fatalities among the most vulnerable on the road. ” Marco Harrison, CAA-Quebec director and road safety expert
A skill to be taught to new drivers
The Dutch Reach will be added to the Road Safety Education Program (RSEP) by late 2022 to make it a reflex for all new drivers. For those who are already behind the wheel, now is the time to change your habits by putting this new move into practice! For more information on the campaign, visit the Vélo Québec website.
About CAA-Quebec
CAA-Quebec is a not-for-profit organization that assists each of its members by providing mobility, travel, insurance, and residential benefits, products, and services. CAA was named Canada’s most trusted brand in the annual Brand Trust Index for 2021 by the Peter B. Gustavson School of Business at the University of Victoria. –30–