Opening a car door feels automatic, something most people do without thinking. Yet many injuries happen not while driving, but in the moment someone steps out of a vehicle.

Safety experts now recommend a simple habit to reduce these risks: use your right hand to open the car door. This approach is often called the “far-hand reach” method.

For drivers in the United States, the door is on the left side. Using the right hand forces your body to rotate slightly as you reach across to open it.

That natural movement turns your head and shoulders, encouraging you to look in the mirror and over your shoulder before the door swings open.

This extra glance can help you spot cyclists, pedestrians, or approaching vehicles that might otherwise be hidden from view.

Organizations such as the National Safety Council promote this habit because it reduces “dooring” accidents, when a door is opened directly into someone’s path.

The method is simple, free, and effective in many situations, including busy city streets, parking lots, and shared bike lanes where visibility can be limited.

By opening your door slowly with your right hand and checking behind you, you gain a brief but valuable moment to prevent accidents and protect both yourself and others.