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Charity campaigns for ‘car-dooring’ to be made aware to road users with preventative measures put in place (18 January 2018)

Date: 18/01/2018
Duncan Lewis, Personal Injury Solicitors, Charity campaigns for ‘car-dooring’ to be made aware to road users with preventative measures put in place

Cycling UK, an organisation that advocates cycling and all related to its activity has urged road users, motorists and cyclists to be better informed and careful on the roads, due to the increasing rate of ‘dooring’ accidents occurring in the UK.

Dooring refers to the accident that occurs as a result of a collision caused by a motorist or passenger opening their car door into a cyclist. The offence is generally not taken seriously as the penalisation for it is not as tough as it could be; currently these offences are issued with fines up to £1,000, despite the severity of the casualties.

The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents reported that according to the police, bicycle and vehicle collision accidents were mainly caused by either the driver or rider failing to look properly. The Department of Transport recorded statistics of over 3,000 injuries and several deaths between 2011 and 2015, with further government statistics recording an average of 700 injuries and 2 deaths on average per year due to car-dooring.

Cycling UK hopes the government will deal with this issue as a priority where road safety is concerned. Paul Tuohy, the Chief Executive of Cycling UK, has liaised with Jesse Norman, the Transport Minister, to launch a ‘THINK!’ campaign that advises drivers and passengers to check before opening their car door.

This campaign is deeply important due to the severity of the casualties car-dooring can cause. In July 2016, Sam Boulton lost his life as a result of car-dooring, which gained a lot of news coverage highlighting the dangers of these incidents.

Tuohy says:

“Cycling UK wants to see great awareness made about the dangers of opening your car door negligently, and people to be encouraged to look before they open.”

The charity is also endorsing the ‘Dutch reach’ as part of the campaign, which is a method that originated and is practiced in the Netherlands.

This is when the person opens the car door with the hand that is furthest away from the door as opposed to the nearest hand; this enables the person to look behind them whilst also restricting how far the door opens, which will essentially minimise the risk of accidents.

Julie Leslie, Director of Personal Injury at Duncan Lewis said the following:

“A moment’s inattention when opening a car door can lead to catastrophic injuries for a cyclist. The importance of motorists and passengers thinking first and opening the car door with care cannot be overemphasised.”

Duncan Lewis Personal Injury Solicitors

Julie Leslie specialises across all types of Claimant Personal Injury work, including cases on Road Traffic Accidents. She has significant experience of running cases from start through to trial and her caseload varies from representing claimant's with straightforward injuries, to those where claimants have suffered life changing accidents. Please get in touch with her directly on 020 7275 2847 or via email: juliel@duncanlewis.com.

Duncan Lewis Personal Injury Solicitors have extensive experience representing clients who have sustained injuries as a result of accidents. Duncan Lewis’ no win no fee personal injury solicitors are proud of their reputation for being caring and considerate in their dealings with personal injury.

Personal injury claimants usually have three years from the date of the injury to make a claim for road traffic accident compensation. Because of the limitation period for personal injury claims, it is important to seek legal advice from Duncan Lewis personal injury solicitors as soon as possible if you are injured in a road or public traffic accident.

Family members can call Duncan Lewis for advice on making a claim if someone close to you has been injured and is still recovering in hospital. For expert legal advice call Duncan Lewis Personal Injury solicitors on 0333 772 0409.


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