Campaigners warn of ‘car dooring’ in bid to save lives

CAMPAIGNERS are raising awareness of the dangers of “car dooring” in a bid to help save lives and reduce injuries to cyclists on the roads.

Cycling UK is adamant there needs to be more public knowledge of the killer problem in which cyclists are struck by car doors being opened.

The group has written to transport minister Jesse Norman calling for a THINK campaign to be launched raising awareness among drivers and passengers to look before opening a car door.

Adding fuel to the campaign, recent Department for Transport figures revealed 3,108 people were injured between 2011 and 2015, as well as eight fatalities, in which car dooring was a contributing factor.

The term car dooring is defined as a “vehicle door opened or closed negligently”.

Simply put it means drivers and passengers carelessly opening doors of a vehicle which can result in cyclists or pedestrians being hit.

Having done its research, the group wants the Dutch Reach method to be promoted in driver training.

It is a technique whereby people open a door using their far hand, rather than their near one, which could prevent avoidable collisions.

The method is said to force a person opening a door to look behind, while also limiting how far their door can open.

In the UK this would mean a driver would look to open their door with their left hand, not their right.

The cycling charity wants a public awareness campaign to include advice on safer road positioning for cyclists, so all road users understand the importance of avoiding the “door zone” – the area where doors could open.

Car dooring is already a criminal offence under Regulation 105 of the Road Vehicles (Construction and Use) Regulations 1986 and Section 42 Road Traffic Act 1988.

The offence has a maximum fine of up to £1,000 and no penalty points even if someone dies or is seriously injured.

However, Cycling UK wants a new law to be introduced for causing injury through car dooring. It has suggested the law should include an offence of “death or serious injury through negligently opening a car door”.

Paul Tuohy, Cycling UK’s chief executive, said: “Some people seem to see car dooring as a bit of a joke, but it’s not and can have serious consequences.

“Cycling UK wants to see greater awareness made about the dangers of opening your car door negligently, and people to be encouraged to look before they open.

“In the Netherlands they are known for practicing a method, known sometimes as the ‘Dutch Reach’, which we think could be successfully encouraged in the UK.

“Cycling UK has written to the Department for Transport asking them to look into this and highlight the dangers of ‘car-dooring’ through a public awareness THINK-style campaign.”