The question of which side to bypass the car before starting the movement is one of the most discussed among beginners and experienced drivers. It would seem that a simple procedure for leaving the house and getting into a vehicle should not cause controversy, but in practice there are two diametrically opposed approaches. Some drivers confidently go to the driver's door clockwise, others - exclusively against, arguing this with safety rules or ancient signs.
The correct algorithm of actions is important not only for maintaining psychological comfort, but also for real safety on the road. Incorrect exit from the viewing zone or movement of the blind zone can lead to an accident even before you turn the key in the ignition lock. In this article, we will take a closer look at the technical, legal, and even mystical aspects of car-to-car workouts so you can develop your safe habit.
Also, it is worth considering that driving conditions in different countries can dictate their own rules. If in Russia and Europe adopted left-hand landing, in the UK or Japan, the steering wheel is on the right, which automatically changes the logic of the bypass. Understanding these nuances will help you feel confident driving any car, regardless of its origin.
Technical safety and blind spots
In terms of pure physiology and motion physics, bypassing a car should minimize the risks of collisions with other road users that may appear suddenly. When you leave the house or drive up to a parked car, you are at an increased risk. Moving over a specific radius allows you to control the space around the car.
The safest route is the perimeter, which allows the driver to stay in sight of potential threats for as long as possible. Blind spots Not only during traffic, but also in the parking lot. Approaching the car from the front, you may not notice the car coming out from around the corner, as your view will be covered by the hood of your own vehicle.
⚠️ Attention: Never step out onto the roadway with your back to a moving stream, even if you are just bypassing your car. Always keep visual control of the road.
When you move around the car, you also perform a visual inspection of the technical condition. This allows you to notice the underdrafts of technical fluids, damaged tires or foreign objects under the wheels. Such a preventive inspection can save you from a serious breakdown in the way or an emergency.
Before each long journey, be sure to make a full roundabout of the car, checking the tire pressure and the cleanliness of the glass, even if the car appears to be clean visually.
Special attention should be paid to the rear of the car when reversing, but when landing it is important to understand where the limitations of view are. If you park in a tight row, a roundabout on the side where there is no oncoming traffic will allow you to safely open the door without risking being hit by a passing cyclist or motorcyclist.
What the Rules of the Road Say
Many drivers mistakenly believe that traffic rules strictly regulate the side of the vehicle bypass. However, if you refer to the text Road traffic rules of the Russian FederationWe will not find a direct indication on which side the driver is obliged to bend his car before landing.
However, there are related clauses of the rules that indirectly affect this process. For example, the paragraph on boarding and disembarking passengers states that opening doors can only be made sure that this will not interfere with other participants in the movement. It is logical to assume that the approach to the door should be carried out safely.
- 🚗 Paragraph 12.7. of the traffic: It is forbidden to open the doors of the vehicle if it will interfere with other participants of the movement.
- 🚶 Paragraph 4.2. of the traffic: Indicates that pedestrians must move along sidewalks, and in their absence - along the roadsides, which applies to the driver until the moment of landing.
- 👀 General principle: The driver must make sure that the maneuver is safe before starting, which includes a safe approach to the control place.
The absence of an explicit ban or requirement gives the driver freedom of choice but imposes responsibility for the consequences. You will be right in any case, if you do not violate other rules in the process of bypassing. However, in the case of a door-opening accident, the court may consider the trajectory of your approach as a factor in the degree of care.
It is important to note that in some left-handed countries, such as the UK, the logic of security is shifting. There, the driver sits on the right and bypassing the car in front may be less safe due to traffic features. So, when you are abroad, you should look around and understand the local logic of traffic.
Driver psychology and instincts
The psychological aspect of car bypassing is often ignored, although it plays a key role in forming a habit. Most people are right-handed and it is instinctively easier to hold the key in their right hand when approaching the car on the left. This creates a natural anti-clockwise motion vector if the key is in the pocket of the trousers or in the right hand.
On the other hand, there is a theory about “protection of the stomach”. Ancient instincts cause a person to expose a less vulnerable part of the body to a potential threat (road), the back or shoulder, rather than the stomach. When you walk around the front (clockwise for the left steering wheel), you turn your back to the road when the door opens, which can cause subconscious discomfort.
Cognitive load It's also important. If you walk around the car in the usual way, your brain goes into “autopilot” mode, freeing up resources to plan the route and check the mirrors. Changing the usual side of the bypass can introduce an element of stress and distract from assessing the road situation in the first seconds after landing.
Interestingly, professional drivers and safety instructors often develop their own, strictly regulated sequence of actions. For them, bypassing the car is part of a training ritual that adjusts to the working way. Violation of this ritual can be perceived as a bad omen or a sign of inattention.
Why do drivers argue about the side of the bypass?
The controversy arises from the confusion of the concepts of security (seeing the road) and superstition (not scouring trouble). Everyone defends their experience, considering it the only true one.
It is also worth mentioning the climatic conditions. In rainy weather or snowfall, you instinctively want to be in the cabin faster. At such times, drivers often shorten the distance of the round or neglect the inspection, which increases the risk. A conscious choice of side of the bypass helps to maintain discipline even in bad weather.
Superstitions, omens and traditions
In the driving environment there are many legends and signs that are passed down from generation to generation. One of the most common is: “Go around the car only in front to see the road.” It is believed that if you go around from behind, you can “call trouble” or, at best, lose control of the situation.
Another group will be associated with numerology and direction of movement. Some believe that bypassing clockwise “twisted” luck, and against it – “unwinds” problems. Of course, these claims have no scientific basis, but the psychological attitude of the driver is a serious thing. If a person believes that he went the wrong side, he can drive absent-mindedly, provoking an emergency situation.
| Notes/Opinions | The essence of belief | Reality. |
|---|---|---|
| Backwards | Loss of money or breakdown | Psychological discomfort |
| Front-by-front | To the good road and control | Best road view |
| Trip on landing | Return or trouble | Inconvenient shoes or inattention |
| Forgetting something in the house. | To a successful trip | Risk of being late when you come back |
There is also an opinion that the bypass from behind is the lot of hijackers or people who want to go unnoticed. A driver who sneaks along the trunk is raising suspicions from neighbors and CCTV systems. An open, confident approach from the front demonstrates that you are the owner of the car and are not hiding anything.
⚠️ Attention: Do not rely on signs at the expense of security. If a front-facing round takes you onto the road with a closed turn, it’s best to sacrifice superstition and get around from the safe side.
In some cultures, it is considered a bad omen to whistle in a car or leave the keys in the ignition lock when leaving. These rituals often come complete with bypass rules. Compliance with a single driver code helps you feel part of the community and reduces anxiety before the road.
The influence of weather and time of day
External conditions dictate their adjustments in the process of landing in the car. At night, when parking lights leave much to be desired, the bypass strategy should change. In the dark, it is critical to see not only your car, but what is happening around it. Bypassing the illuminated side of a parking lot or sidewalk becomes the number one priority.
In winter, when cars are covered with a layer of snow or ice, the bypass turns into a necessary cleaning procedure. Here, the side of the bypass is dictated by the logic of cleaning. Usually start from the driver's seat, clean the glass and lighting devices. Moving around the car at this time is a work process, not just a ritual.
- ❄️ Winter: It is necessary to clean the roof and hood so that snow does not fly on the windshield during braking.
- 🌧️ Rain: It is important to get into the cabin quickly, so the shortest safe way is chosen.
- 🌑 Night: Priority is given to well-lit areas and visibility of approaching transport.
In fog or heavy snowfall, visibility is limited to a few meters. In such a situation, going around the car from the side where you hear the engine sounds coming up better may be more sensible than visual control. Hearing becomes an important tool for survival.
In extreme weather conditions, safety and landing speed are more important than following traditional bypass rules or superstitions.
Temperature should also be taken into account. In severe frost or heat, the driver seeks to minimize the time outside the cabin climate control. But haste is the enemy of security. Even at -30 degrees, you should pause for a second to look around before opening the door.
Features of parking and surroundings
The context of parking often defines the only possible course of action. If you are parked in a dense row by a supermarket, the front-facing can be physically impossible due to cars or carts parked in front. In such cases, you have to bypass the car from behind, make your way between the bumpers.
In underground parking lots with low ceilings and narrow driveways, traffic around the car is also limited. It is important not to touch the neighboring cars with a bag or keys. Dimensions Your car, combined with the cramped parking lot, requires increased accuracy. It is better to circumvent in such conditions on the side where there is free space for maneuver.
If the parking is on a busy street without a sidewalk, the situation becomes dangerous. Getting out on the roadway is not recommended. In such cases, drivers often wait for the traffic to stop or walk along the road to see it, which may contradict the standard bypass scheme.
☑️ Safe parking
In residential areas, where children walk and pets run, bypassing the car requires special vigilance. A child may suddenly run out of the corner of the car. When moving around the car, keep your hand at the door, but don’t open it sharply. First, make sure there is no one in the door opening radius.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Can I get a fine for not walking around the car correctly?
Direct fine for the side of the car bypass in the administrative code of the Russian Federation is not provided. However, if you create an emergency or interference to other traffic participants during the process of bypassing or opening the door, you may be held liable under relevant articles (for example, for violating stop rules or causing interference).
Are collectors and guards taught to walk around the car only from the back?
Yes, some safety instructions for VIPs and collectors recommend approaching the car from the least-visible side or from the side protected from a shot. For ordinary citizens, this is irrelevant, but the principle of secrecy is sometimes used by people who are afraid of stealing things from the cabin.
How to get around the car with the right wheel?
The logic remains the same: security and review. For the right wheel (Japan, England), the driver sits on the right. The front bypass (counterclockwise if viewed from above) also allows you to see the road, but in countries with left-hand traffic the flow is different. The main thing is not to go out with your back to moving cars.
What if the car is parked on the lawn or in the wrong place?
Getting into the car in this case should be quickly and carefully, trying not to attract attention. It is better to avoid the shortest path, but not to the detriment of safety (do not run out on the road). It is better to spend time in search parking than risk evacuation or a fine.
Does the side of the bypass depend on the type of drive of the car?
No, the type of drive (front, rear, full) does not affect which side is safe to approach the car. This is a technical characteristic important for driving, but not for perimeter parking safety.