A change to the Highway Code, which could see drivers fined £1,000 for making a mistake when opening car doors, has been hailed by an expert.
Since January last year, motorists have been encouraged to use the "Dutch Reach", which involves using your opposite hand to open the car door, in the hopes of making roads safer.
By doing this, people are forced to turn their bodies, giving them a better view of the road behind them, in case someone is cycling, walking or driving nearby.
Those who harm someone due to opening a car door in an unsafe manner risk being fined.
Speaking to Express.co.uk for Bike Week (which took place between June 5 and June 11), David Kottaun, operations manager at Scrap Car Comparison, said: "Each year, thousands of cyclists are injured on the road, and worse, well over a hundred each year get killed."
He continued: "These tragedies highlight the importance of all road users to take more care and work together to create a safer place for all.
"Initiatives like Bike Week here in the UK are great ways to encourage more people to start cycling, have an enjoyable ride and get fit in the process, but these statistics can be off-putting for many."
Drivers who harm someone by opening a car door risk being fined a maximum of £1,000, although they won't receive any points on their licence.
In the Highway Code, it says: "You MUST ensure you do not hit anyone when you open your door. Check for cyclists or other traffic by looking all around and using your mirrors.
"Where you are able to do so, you should open the door using your hand on the opposite side to the door you are opening; for example, use your left hand to open a door on your right-hand side. This will make you turn your head to look over your shoulder.
"You are then more likely to avoid causing injury to cyclists or motorcyclists passing you on the road, or to people on the pavement."
Mr Kottaun hopes the Dutch Reach would make it easier for drivers to check their blind spots, and hopefully reduce the number of accidents.
He added: "There's more than enough road for both drivers and cyclists, but regardless of how you're travelling, people need to take more care."
The term "Dutch Reach" was coined in the Netherlands where it has been used as the standard for exiting a vehicle.
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