Dooring

Dooring is a traffic collision term referring to an incident where a cyclist or motorcyclist is struck by a vehicle door, typically when the door is being opened by the vehicle's occupant without prior checking for approaching traffic. This type of accident is a significant hazard in urban areas where cycling is common and parking spaces are adjacent to active traffic lanes. Dooring can result in a range of injuries, from minor bruises and lacerations to severe trauma or even fatality, depending on the speed of the cyclist and the manner of the collision.

Causes and Prevention

The primary cause of dooring accidents is the lack of awareness or attention by the vehicle's occupant when opening the door into the path of an oncoming cyclist. Factors contributing to these accidents include parked vehicles closely adjacent to bike lanes, high traffic areas where cyclists and vehicles share close quarters, and the absence of proper infrastructure to safely accommodate both cyclists and motor vehicles.

Preventive measures include the implementation of bike lanes that are physically separated from parked cars, educating drivers and passengers about the "Dutch Reach"—a method of opening a car door with the hand farthest from the door, thereby forcing the body to turn and check for oncoming traffic—and the installation of warning systems in vehicles that alert occupants to the presence of approaching cyclists or motorcyclists.

Legal Aspects

The legal consequences of dooring accidents vary by jurisdiction but generally involve liability for the person opening the vehicle door. In many places, local traffic laws explicitly state that it is the responsibility of the person opening a vehicle door to ensure that it is safe to do so without endangering passing traffic. Penalties for causing a dooring accident can include fines, demerit points on the driver's license, and in some cases, criminal charges if negligence is found to be a factor.

Impact

Dooring accidents can have a profound impact on the safety and well-being of cyclists. The fear of being doored can deter people from cycling, thereby reducing the potential environmental and health benefits that increased cycling can offer. Moreover, the physical and psychological trauma experienced by victims of dooring accidents can be significant, with recovery times varying depending on the severity of the injuries.

Mitigation Strategies

Cities and communities can adopt several strategies to mitigate the risk of dooring accidents. These include:

• Designing and implementing safer cycling infrastructure, such as protected bike lanes.
• Educating both drivers and cyclists about the risks of dooring and safe practices to avoid accidents.
• Enforcing existing traffic laws that penalize unsafe door-opening practices.
• Encouraging the use of public transportation and cycling through urban planning and incentives, thereby reducing the number of vehicles on the road.

See Also

• Bicycle Safety
• Traffic Collision
• Urban Planning