Rethink Your Exit: How a One-Second Habit Fosters Safer Street

Imagine ending a smooth drive with a simple action that could prevent a tragedy. In our busy lives, we often operate on autopilot, especially in familiar routines like getting out of a car. But this autopilot can fail when it matters most, leading to a common urban accident called “dooring,” where a car door opens into a cyclist’s path. The solution is elegantly simple and comes from a culture that has mastered livable cities: the Dutch Reach.

This technique is less about a rule and more about a mindful shift. By consciously deciding to use your far hand—the right hand for drivers, the left for passengers—to open the door, you engage your body and mind. The physical twist of your torso naturally turns your head, directing your gaze toward the window and mirror. This movement creates a moment of awareness, pulling you out of autopilot and allowing you to truly see what’s happening in the street behind you. It’s a practice in mindfulness that has tangible, life-saving results.

Integrating the Dutch Reach into your life is a small step toward becoming a more considerate and present member of your community. For the first week, it will feel unusual, a deliberate interruption to your routine. But soon, it rewires your habit. The act of reaching across your body becomes the new normal, a silent promise to yourself and others that you are paying attention. It’s a proactive gesture of care that extends beyond your vehicle, contributing to a culture of safety and shared responsibility.

Adopting this habit is a powerful individual choice that creates collective impact. When more people practice the Dutch Reach, the entire street becomes safer. It’s a reminder that wellness and safety are intertwined, and that our smallest actions can have the most significant consequences. This one-second check is more than a driving tip; it’s a practice in awareness that protects lives, prevents heartache, and makes our cities more humane, one opened door at a time.