Opening a car door often feels automatic, something most people do without much thought. However, many preventable accidents occur not while driving, but when someone exits a parked vehicle. For this reason, safety experts recommend opening the car door with your right hand. This approach, sometimes referred to as the far-hand reach, encourages more awareness at a moment when attention can easily lapse.
Using the hand farthest from the door naturally causes your body to turn as you reach across. This movement helps prompt a quick check of mirrors and surroundings before the door opens. Safety organizations, including the National Safety Council, highlight this habit as a simple way to reduce collisions involving cyclists, pedestrians, or passing vehicles.
The method is easy to apply and requires no special tools or training. It can be especially helpful in busy urban areas, parking lots, and shared road spaces where visibility may be limited. By turning your head and shoulders before opening the door, you create an extra moment to notice potential hazards and respond appropriately.
Over time, this small change can make a meaningful difference. Developing the habit of opening your car door with your right hand encourages safer exits, protects others nearby, and reduces the risk of avoidable accidents. It is a practical, everyday action that supports greater awareness and road safety for everyone involved.