Opening a car door seems automatic—something we all do dozens of times without a second thought. Yet many serious accidents stem not from the driving itself but from the moment someone exits the vehicle. That’s why safety experts now recommend using your right hand to open the door. This method, often called the “far-hand reach,” involves using the hand farthest from the door (for a left-side driver in the U.S., this is the right hand) when opening it.

By reaching across your body, your torso and head naturally turn, forcing a glance into your mirror and over your shoulder. That helps you spot oncoming cyclists, pedestrians, or vehicles before swinging the door open. Organizations such as the National Safety Council advise drivers to adopt this habit because it reduces so-called “dooring” accidents—when someone opens a car door into the path of a cyclist or motorist.

The technique is simple, cost-free, and effective in a wide range of situations: in city traffic, parking lots, or shared lanes where visibility can be compromised. In short: when you exit your car, use your right hand to open the door, turn and look back over your shoulder, then open slowly.

It becomes a small habit with big impact: you’ll give yourself an extra moment to spot hidden risks, protect yourself and others, and avoid one of those everyday moments that too often leads to injury. The “why” behind the gesture is less important than the fact that it works—and it’s easy to adopt today.