Drivers have been warned they could soon face a huge fine for opening the door incorrectly.
The update to the Highway Code will mean motorists must use the "Dutch Reach" method - as Devon Live reports.
The change comes into effect on January 29 and will require drivers to use the hand furthest from the door to open it.
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This is designed to protect others, as opening the door with the hand furthest away prompts a driver to turn their body towards the door and look over their shoulder as they leave their car.
The new section under rule 239 will now read: "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 motor cyclists passing you on the road, or to people on the pavement."
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.
By doing this, they will get sight of any cyclists or pedestrians passing by their car that they may have missed if they hadn't checked.
Extensive campaigning on the 'Dutch Reach' by Cycling UK has been key to the implementation of the new advice.
Cycling UK estimate that over 500 people in the UK are injured annually by motorists opening a car door into someone's cycle path.
The issue was further brought into the public eye in 2016 when Chris Grayling, who was then serving as Transport Secretary, was caught knocking a cyclist off their bike when opening his door on Whitehall.
This technique is borrowed from the Netherlands, where it has always been used as standard for exiting a vehicle - hence the name, 'Dutch Reach.'
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