What is the safe parking distance to prevent 'dooring' accidents?
2 Answers
When parking, drivers should maintain a distance of 20-30 cm from the curb. Except for the driver, passengers should try to exit from the right side. After parking, the driver should remind passengers in advance, especially those in the back seat, to check for vehicles in all directions before opening the door. Most importantly, the driver should first open the door slightly or check the surroundings through the rearview mirror to ensure no approaching vehicles before fully opening the door and exiting. Changing lanes: When the student hears the instruction 'Please change lanes,' they should activate the turn signal and wait for 3 seconds before turning the steering wheel. If the driver is on a single-lane road, lane changing is not permitted at this time. Straight-line driving: Once straight-line driving begins, the steering wheel should not be turned arbitrarily, and the vehicle must not cross the solid lane line. The student should focus their vision into the distance and make minor adjustments to the steering wheel to maintain straight-line driving, rather than keeping the steering wheel fixed. Slowing down: When passing through crosswalks, school zones, bus stops, or straight intersections, the student should lightly press the brake pedal to slow down.
To prevent hitting someone when opening the car door, the key is to leave a safe distance. I always pay attention to this when parking because a car door needs about 40 to 60 centimeters of space to fully open, ensuring it won’t suddenly hit pedestrians or bicycles. Especially in cities, where roads are narrow and crowded with cars, I’m even more cautious—I prioritize parking in spacious spots. If no large space is available, I’d rather walk a few extra steps and park where there’s some gap beside the car. I’ve also developed the habit of checking the rearview mirror before opening the door. I’ve learned a method called the ‘Dutch reach,’ which involves using the hand farthest from the door to open it, naturally turning your head to check the surroundings and avoid blind-spot hazards. Distance isn’t a strict rule, but leaving extra space significantly reduces accident risks. Safety comes first—every time you park, calculate the angle properly, so you don’t regret it after an accident.
