UK to Add 'Reach'
'Dutch Reach' Car Door Opening Technique Added To Britain's Road Rules, by Carlton Reid, Oct 17, 2018, Forbes.com, Click image/here for story.
The Dutch Reach method & term is traveling the Globe!
Go to Coverage >> Other Languages & News & New for articles, news & blog posts from around the world!
See also new Dutch Reach videos & animations from other countries & in English or in other languages here - although this too needs updating.
The far hand method continues to percolate across the internet & social media as more and more cycling & road safety advocates discover Holland's 50 year old wisdom.
As of May 28, 2017, the above sampler is several months old. It does not include English speaking countries such as the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and such countries as Singapore where it has also 'arrived.' Among other 'tongued' countries, Hungary, Poland, Sweden, India, Portugal and even The Netherlands need to be added.
More on UK Code Update
The Guardian, Daily Mail, The Sunday Times Driving & the Independent report UK Highway Code updates (Oct 2018). Click here to expand & links for articles. .
Dutch Reach approved by RoSPA February 1, 2017. See full advisory here.
The Dutch far hand reach method naturally causes drivers or passengers to swivel & gain a clear view of on-coming traffic before fully opening & exiting the vehicle.
DUTCH REACH APPROVED BY ROYAL SOCIETY FOR THE PREVENTION OF ACCIDENTS.
Feb 1, 2017,
The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA), UK has endorsed the Dutch Reach Method as a recommended best traffic safety practice. RoSPA issued its expert finding of safety advantage with a posting on its website. It points out that the far hand reach method provides a continuous view of on-coming traffic whilst preparing to open and exit the motor vehicle. It protects cyclists and exiting occupants from heedless and at times devastating harm, either by direct collision or due to dangerous swerves by bicyclists or vehicles to avoid flung open doors.
The far hand method has been practiced in the Netherlands for about 50 years with little notice elsewhere. Such recognition by one of the world's preeminent safety and accident prevention organizations raises this hither-to-fore nameless commonplace -- but official Dutch practice -- to new found respect and prominence. It confers authority for its adoption well beyond the physical and linguistic borders which stalled its export, leaving it little known or neglected by the English speaking world and, as it now appears given recent globe media attention, by most every other nation as well.
Map: Countries where drivers drive on left or right side of the road. Orange = Left
Green = Right
Dutch Reach method as shown n South Australia Government website: "My License" > "The Driving Companion:
Observation (How to use your eyes more effectively)." Click image to enlarge.
SOUTH AUSTRALIA'S GOVERNMENT MAKES DUTCH REACH OFFICIAL
The state of South Australia adopted the Reach method in October 2017 and launched a public education campaign to introduce the method. The government website dedicated to road safety added is description to its section on "Observation (How to use your eyes more effectively." The text description was accompanied by the diagram at left.
South Australia added this text to "My License" site of best road safety practices in October 2017.
Twice gold Olympic medalist Anna Meares of So. Au. endorses the Dutch Reach campaign having had many close calls herself. Minister Chris Picton looks on. Click image for video & 9NEWS article.
VICTORIA AUSTRALIA AFFIRMS FAR HAND
VicRoads, Victoria AU has taught the far hand method to prevent doorings since 2013. Click image to view advisory.
From Prime Minister Trudeau...
MP Joel Lightbound's call for drivers to adopt the Dutch Reach to prevent bicyclist deaths and injuries by carelessly opened car doors, gets support of Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau via tweet.
Dutch Reach anti-dooring campaign sticker in French by the office of MP Joel Lightbound, Canada.