Drivers could now be fined £1,000 for opening car doors the wrong way.
Major Highway Code changes were introduced in January, with motoring organisations urging drivers to familiarise themselves with the driving rules again. One part of the revised code covers opening your car door blindly.
The new rule states you should do is what is known as the 'Dutch Reach' - if you are the one behind the wheel, you should use your left hand. If you are the passenger you should use your right hand, Wales Online reports.
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If you injure someone by opening your door you can be punished by a fine of up to £1,000 but no penalty points can be added to the offender’s licence. Opening the door with the hand furthest away from the door means people automatically turn their body towards the door and look over their shoulder as they go to leave their car.
The over-the-shoulder look as you reach for your door handle is a vital part of the method. By doing so, anyone exiting the car will get sight of any cyclists or pedestrians passing by their car that they may have missed if they hadn't checked.
The new section under rule 239 now reads: "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."
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