Fletchers welcome additional campaigning for the Dutch Reach approach

Fletchers Solicitors welcome the news that a man from East Sussex is joining the campaign for drivers to be taught better safety techniques regarding opening car doors.

Fletchers have been campaigning for the ‘Dutch Reach’ approach to be implemented in the UK, and this case highlights the urgency to get better awareness for drivers to check for cyclists and motorcyclists before opening their door.

Ryan Selby was just 17 when he suffered a traumatic brain injury when on his motorbike and a car door opened, pushing him into the path of an oncoming bus. His family are now campaigning for all drivers to use the Dutch Reach approach.

In October, the Government announced a review of the Highway Code to help reduce road casualties and promote walking and cycling.

It is proposed that the Code will highlight Dutch Reach – a method of opening car doors by using the hand furthest away from the door. This encourages drivers and passengers to turn and look behind them for passing cyclists when opening the door.

The rise in car dooring related incidents has increased significantly over the past few years. Between 2011 and 2015 there were more than 3,000 injuries and eight fatalities.

Jennifer Nolan, Head of Multi Track Personal Injury at Fletchers Solicitors, said: “We welcome people joining the campaign to raise awareness of Dutch Reach. It is something we are passionate about as we have seen first-hand the devastation that ‘car dooring’ can cause to vulnerable road users.

“We need to raise awareness around the dangers of car dooring to protect cyclists and prevent what has happened to Ryan, happening to others.

“We want people to be educated around the importance of looking out for cyclists, motorcyclists and other road users and make the roads safer.”