SPRINGFIELD – Illinois Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias announces Dutch Reach awareness campaign to help prevent tragic crashes. The Dutch Reach, a technique for safely exiting a vehicle, has been promoted through Illinois driver education programs and the Rules of the Road publication as a simple way to improve awareness of approaching cyclists, pedestrians and other roadway users.
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The reminder comes after Chicago Department of Transportation employee Riley O’Neil, 35, died from injuries sustained in a June 5 crash when a driver opened a door into the path of his bicycle in Chicago’s Bridgeport neighborhood. The incident serves as a stark warning that dooring crashes can have serious and sometimes fatal consequences.
“No one should lose their life because a motorist failed to look before opening a car door. This tragedy is a painful reminder that every driver and passenger has a responsibility to be aware of the people around them,” Giannoulias said. “The Dutch Reach is a simple habit that takes just a second, but that second can prevent a crash, save a life and make our roads safer for everyone.”
"Riley O’Neil was one of the earliest supporters of our work, and it is a poetic injustice that he was killed on the same streets he was so passionate about making safer. Sadly, crashes like the one that took Riley’s life are becoming far too common," said Christina Whitehouse, founder of Bike Lane Uprising, an organization that works to improve bicycle safety through data-driven advocacy and community reporting of roadway hazards. “This is a call to action for everyone exiting a vehicle to make sure the path is clear before opening a door. It is also a reminder for drivers to stay alert around bicyclists and leave enough space to react to unexpected hazards."
The Dutch Reach is a simple safety technique that requires drivers and passengers to use the hand farthest from the door when exiting a vehicle. This motion naturally causes a person to rotate their body and look over their shoulder, helping them spot approaching cyclists, scooter riders, pedestrians and other road users before opening the door.
Illinois has been a national leader in promoting the Dutch Reach. In 2018, state lawmakers passed legislation, making Illinois the second state in the nation to include guidance on the technique in its Rules of the Road.
Illinois law requires drivers and passengers to ensure it is reasonably safe before opening a vehicle door into moving traffic and that doing so does not interfere with other road users. The Dutch Reach is a simple way to help drivers meet that responsibility.
Dooring occurs when a driver or passenger opens a door into the path of a bicyclist or other road user. These incidents can cause riders to lose control, collide with the door or enter traffic unexpectedly. Because bicyclists typically have little time to react, the resulting injuries can be severe. According to bicycle safety advocates, approximately one in five bicycle crashes in Chicago involves a dooring incident, underscoring the importance of checking for approaching cyclists before opening a vehicle door.
Giannoulias encourages all Illinois drivers, passengers, parents and driving instructors to share the Dutch Reach technique and incorporate it into everyday driving habits.
For more information about traffic safety and educational resources, visit www.ilsos.gov.Get The Latest News!
