The government has announced that cyclists are to be given greater protection in the Highway Code.
A review headed by the Department for Transport is currently underway, aimed at promoting walking and cycling and reducing road casualties.
One of the new recommendations is for drivers to use what is called the ‘Dutch Reach’, a method of opening car doors by turning and using the hand furthest from the handle, which forces drivers or passengers to look behind them for passing cyclists.
This practice can help to avoid collisions, often referred to as ‘doorings’ or being ‘doored’.
The Dutch Reach proposal follows recent figures revealing 101 cyclist deaths in 2017 caused by road traffic collisions, including ‘car dooring’.
At Nockolds, we have acted for a number of drivers, cyclists and pedestrians who have been seriously injured in road traffic accidents.
We therefore welcome any initiative to make our roads safer and fully support the government in its efforts to do so.
Nockolds Solicitors will also be supporting Road Safety Week which runs from 19-25 November 2018.