Spectrum: Carelessly thrown open car doors are unfortunately part of everyday life for many urban cyclists - a scenario that can have terrible consequences. According to a Forsa survey, 16 percent of car drivers rarely or never look over their shoulders, thereby provoking what are known as dooring accidents. With a new campaign, the German Road Safety Council (DVR) now wants to sensitize car drivers.
Actually, looking over your shoulder when leaving a vehicle should be a matter of course. Unfortunately, a survey conducted by Forsa on behalf of the German Road Safety Council (DVR) with the support of the Federal Ministry of Transport and Digital Infrastructure (BMVI) and the German Social Accident Insurance (DGUV) proves the opposite: According to this, 16 percent of the car drivers surveyed rarely or never do it a shoulder look to recognize approaching cyclists. The legal situation is clearly regulated: According to the Road Traffic Act (StVO, Paragraph 14, Paragraph 1), everyone must make sure when getting in and out of the car that they are not endangering other road users. Sad: Only 88 percent of the car drivers surveyed are aware of this.
The "Dutch grip": Little trick, big effect
With the campaign “Turn your head. See cyclists!” the German Road Safety Council (DVR) now wants to sensitize car drivers. In order to significantly minimize the risk of a dooring accident, car drivers and their passengers can use a simple trick. The "Dutch grip" simplifies checking the rear environment. Everyone seated on the driver's side of the vehicle opens the door with their right hand, while the occupants on the passenger's side use their left hand to open the door. In this way, the upper body automatically turns in the right direction, making it easier to look over the shoulder. Of course, the door should only be opened when there are no cyclists in sight. A little trick that can prevent bad accidents!
Website: www.dvr.de/rad-sicht
Images / Figures: German Road Safety Council (DVR)