Politics · Switzerland · 20 hrs ago
Swiss lawmaker proposes requiring the Dutch reach to prevent cycling crashes
Swiss lawmaker Hasan Candan wants drivers to use the “Dutch reach” when opening car doors.
This means using the hand farther from the door, which turns the driver’s upper body and encourages a look over the shoulder.
The proposed rule is intended to prevent “dooring” crashes, when a cyclist hits a car door opened in their path.
Switzerland recorded 561 such crashes from 2012 to 2021, according to a study cited in the story.
Candan says the method should be taught as part of the driving test, with awareness more important than punishment.
Lawmaker Erich Hess opposes a legal requirement, arguing that it would be hard to enforce and that cyclists should keep enough distance from parked cars.
Transport Minister Albert Rösti must now respond to the proposal.
Swiss lawmaker Hasan Candan has proposed requiring drivers to use the “Dutch reach” when opening car doors.
The technique means opening the door with the hand farther from it, prompting the driver to turn and look behind.
Candan says the rule could help prevent crashes in which cyclists hit car doors.
Between 2012 and 2021, Switzerland recorded 561 such crashes, with around 50 injuries per year, according to a study cited by 20 Minuten.
Lawmaker Erich Hess opposes the proposal, calling it impractical to enforce, and Transport Minister Albert Rösti must respond.
- Who
- Swiss lawmaker Hasan Candan proposed the rule. Lawmaker Erich Hess opposes it.
- What
- Candan wants the Dutch reach to be required when drivers open car doors.
- When
- The proposal was reported on 11 October 2026.
- Where
- Switzerland.
- Why
- Candan says it could prevent crashes in which cyclists hit car doors.
Hasan Candan
Erich Hess
Requirement
Hasan Candan
Candan wants the Dutch reach required by law to help prevent crashes.
Erich Hess
Hess says no law should dictate how someone opens a car door.
Enforcement and safety
Hasan Candan
Candan says the priority should be awareness and making the technique part of the driving test.
Erich Hess
Hess says the rule would be impossible to control and cyclists should keep enough distance from parked cars.
The number of dooring accidents is continuously increasing.
There is certainly no need for a law on how someone opens a door, that is complete nonsense and also impossible to control.
The key is awareness and making the Dutch reach a fixed part of the driving test.
Switzerland recorded 561 dooring crashes, with around 50 injuries per year, according to a study cited by 20 Minuten.
20 Minuten reported Candan’s proposal and Hess’s opposition.
Transport Minister Albert Rösti was due to state his position.
- Proposal
- Require the Dutch reach when opening car doors
- Technique
- Open the door with the hand farther from it
- Crashes
- 561 dooring crashes in Switzerland from 2012 to 2021
- Injuries
- Around 50 per year in the cited study
- Proposer
- Hasan Candan, SP National Councillor
- Opponent
- Erich Hess, SVP National Councillor
Sources
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