Getting out of the car seems like the simplest action – opened the door, got out, closed. But the statistics of accidents and injuries say the opposite: 12% of parking accidents This is due to the wrong departure of the car. Doors open to the oncoming lane, hitting garage counters, falling on slippery surfaces are only a small part of the risks. Especially relevant problem for beginners, children and the elderly, whose coordination of movements can fail at an unexpected moment.

In this article, we will understand safe-exit from the car, taking into account the type of body (sedan, hatchback, SUV), weather conditions and even parking features. We'll stop at the same time. child-chair, electric-car and door-to-door - the rules are different for them. And at the end, you'll find a checklist that you can print out and keep in your glove compartment.

1. Preparation for the exit: what to do before the door opens

The first rule of safety is Never open the door immediately after a stop.. Even if you are in a hurry, take 3-5 seconds to prepare. This time will save you from hitting oncoming vehicles or falling on ice.

What to check before leaving:

  • 🔍 Rear-view mirrorsCheck the space behind and in front of the car. This is especially important for supermarket parking lots, where pedestrians can appear suddenly.
  • 🚗 Neighborhood carsIf you are standing in a close row, open the door 5-10 cm and assess whether there is enough room for exit without scratches.
  • 🌧️ Weather conditionsWhen it rains or snows, prepare an umbrella. before Opening the door so as not to get wet or drop things.
  • 👶 PassengersIf you have children in the back, tell them in advance: “We’ll go out now, hold hands.”

V electric-car (e.g., Tesla Model 3 or Nissan Leaf) before exit is mandatory Turn off Drive (D) mode. Put it on Park (P). In some models, the doors will only unlock after a full stop, but it is better to be safe.

⚠️ Attention: If you're parking on a slope, always turn the wheels The kerb is either in the direction of the curb (when parking down the slope) or from the curb (when parking up). This will prevent the car from spontaneously moving if the handhold fails.
📊 How often do you check the mirrors before you get out of the car?
Always.
Sometimes.
Only in busy parking lots.
Never.

2. Exit technique: step-by-step instructions

The algorithm of safe exit depends on the type of body. For example, from SUV (Toyota RAV4, Kia Sportage) to descend differently from the low saloon (Volkswagen Polo, Hyundai Solaris). The overall pattern is as follows:

Check the mirrors and the space around you.

Remove your foot from the brake pedal (if the driver)

Unfasten your seatbelt.

Open the door 10-15 cm and assess the situation.

Get out, holding onto the doorway or handle

Close the door with force (before clicking)

Make sure the door is locked (by sound or indicator)

For the driver:

  1. Take the wheel with your left hand, and the right one with the doorknob.
  2. Turn the body to the left, while taking the right leg out of the cabin.
  3. With your left leg, stand up straight. Don’t push forward, it disturbs the balance.

For passengers: If the seat is adjusted for a tall person and you are short, ask the driver to move the seat forward. before exit. V minibus (e.g., Ford Transit) special handrails are provided for this purpose.

Body type Features of the exit Typical errors
sedan Low clearance - get out, squatting slightly Head impact on the roof (if the car has a ramp)
Off-road vehicle/SUV Go down sideways, holding onto the doorway Jumping from the foot (risk of knee damage)
Hatchback/wagon The back door can open upwards - carefully with the head Hitting the trunk of a neighboring car when opening
Microbus. Use handrails, the steps can be slippery Exit through the front door on the go (in public transport)
⚠️ Attention: In cars with keyless (e.g., BMW with Comfort Access) the door may lock automatically if the key is left in the passenger compartment. Always take the key with you!

3. Exit with a child: how to avoid injuries

Children under 7 years old are the most vulnerable category of passengers. According to the data WHObefore 40% of child injuries in parking lots This is due to improper use of chairs or rushing out. Basic rules:

For infants (0-1 year):

  • 👶 Take it out. cartridge Only after the engine stops completely (vibrations can scare the child).
  • 🔄 Turn the chair to the door. after The way you unfasten your seatbelts.
  • 🚪 Open the door as wide as possible, it will give you room to maneuver.

For children 3-7 years old: teach them The hand-on-hand rule. Before leaving, the child must put his hand on the doorknob and wait for the consent of the adult. This prevents the door from opening on the move.

What to do if your child is stuck in a belt?

If the seatbelt is jammed, do not pull it sharply. Press the red lock button on the buckle and pull the ribbon. smoothly. In extreme cases, use scissors (in the glove compartment of many cars there is a special cutter for belts).

V school-leading teach Children under 12 years old cannot be let out of the car from the side of the carriageway. If you parked at the side of the road, only get out of the sidewalk. This may require the chair to be moved to the other side (in the Skoda Octavia or Renault Duster It takes 2-3 minutes.

4. Mistakes that lead to accidents or damage

Even experienced drivers sometimes make critical mistakes. Here are the top 5 of them that most often lead to accidents or scratches:

  1. "Doorstroke" (dooring) - Opening the door to the oncoming lane. V Moscow and St. Petersburg fined 1 500–3 000 ₽ (sic). 12.19 CAO. To avoid, use it. DutchOpen the door with your right hand (for the driver), forcing yourself to turn the body and inspect the space behind.
  2. Cycling path exit. Cyclists move silently and are easily overlooked. Always look down in the direction of the movement.
  3. Closing the door "in a sweep". This leads to microcrack on the glass and the hinge deformation. The door should be closed with effort, but without jerks.
  4. Ignoring Parktronic Signals. If there is a beep from behind, it means that someone or something is approaching. Don't leave until the signal stops.
  5. Leave the key in the ignition lock. V model (e.g., VAZ 2107) this may result in a steering lock or even a ugon.
💡

If you often park in cramped yards, stick on the inside of the door blind-zone mirror (costs ~300 rubles). It will show the space at the rear bumper, which is not visible in standard mirrors.

5. Features of exit in different weather

In winter and rain, the risk of injury increases. 3 times. Here is how to adapt the technique of exit to weather conditions:

Conditions Risks. Decision
Ice-cold Falling at the exit, sliding the door on the body Hold on to the doorway, step on. rubber-mat underfoot
Heavy rain Umbrella can close the view, wet hands slide down the handle Open the umbrella. after exit, use gloves with rubber inserts
Heat (+30°C and above) Burns from metal parts (pens, belts) Before leaving, cover the handle with a cloth or use it. strap-case
Strong wind The door may slam or hit a neighbor. Hold the door with your hand until it is fully opened/closed.

V electric-car In winter, there is an additional risk: charging-cable. If you are connected to the station, disconnect the power first, then exit. V Tesla There is a special regime for this Defrost Charge Port.

6. How to get out of a car with automatic doors

Cars with electric-powered (e.g., Mercedes-Benz S-Class, BMW 7 Series) require a special approach. Here are the key points:

  • 🔋 Don't block the sensors.. If there are sensors on the door (usually under the handle), do not touch them while opening/closing.
  • 🚪 Control your speed.. Some models can adjust the speed of the door through the menu iDrive or MBUX.
  • 👤 Be careful with children.. Automatic doors can close if the child stays in the opening. V Toyota Alphard for this purpose, the regime Child Lock.
  • 🔌 Watch the battery charge.. If the battery is discharged, the doors can be opened manually (instructions are usually in the glove compartment).

V minibus with sliding doors (e.g., Volkswagen Multivan) make sure that the path is clear before leaving. Sliding doors require more space than swing doors.

💡

In cars with automatic doors Always keep your hand on the emergency stop button. (usually marked in red). This will instantly stop the door moving if something goes wrong.

7. How to Teach Passengers to Get Out the Right Way

If you often drive co-workers, friends, or customers, their mistakes can become your problem (such as scratching your next car). Here's how to minimize the risks:

  1. Pre-travel instruction. Please explain politely, “We have a tight parking lot, let’s take turns.”
  2. A role model. Go out first, demonstrating the right technique.
  3. Reminders for children. Use stickers on the door that say “Look first, open later!”
  4. Control of doors. V premium-car (e.g., Audi A8there is a function Door WarningThis block the door from opening if a cyclist is driving behind.

For taxi-carrier driver car sharing It's helpful to have a rule: The passenger only leaves after the driver confirms that the path is free.. This will reduce the number of incidents by 80%.

💡

If you often drive older people, buy them. foot-step (e.g., Mobility Step). It is attached to the doorway and facilitates the exit from high cars.

FAQ: Frequent questions about getting out of the car

Can I get out of the car if it is on the “automatic” in D (Drive) mode?

No, it's extremely dangerous. Even on a flat surface, the machine can start moving when you press the gas pedal (for example, if it is attacked by a bag or a child). Always transfer the selector to Park (P) And tighten the hand.

What if the door is stuck and it doesn’t open?

Try to open it from the other side (if it is the front door). If it doesn't work:

  1. Check if it's activated. Child Lock (lock on the end of the door)
  2. Pull the handle with force while simultaneously pressing the door from the outside.
  3. If the mechanism is frozen, use a defrosting device (for example, WD-40).
  4. In extreme cases, break the glass (the glove compartment should have an emergency hammer).
How to get out of the car on the highway in case of breakdown?

The algorithm is:

  1. Turn it on. alarm and put up a sign. stopover (at least 15 m from the vehicle).
  2. Get out through. passenger-side (Even if you're a driver).
  3. Don’t stand between cars – step behind the barrier or by the roadside.
  4. If there is no barrier, stand up. post The car (so you can see it in the mirrors).
Never leave the roadway! Statistics. GABDThat's the reason. One in five pedestrians on the road.
Do I have to turn off the lights when I get out of the car?

Depends on the situation:

  • If you long-term leave the car (more than 10 minutes), the headlights are better off so as not to put the battery down.
  • If you're in dark-yard Or in a parking lot, leave it. dimensions or daylight - that's extra security.
  • V modern-car (e.g., Kia Ceed 2020+) the headlights are switched off automatically 30 seconds after locking.
How to get out of the car in a narrow garage, so as not to scratch the walls?

Use it. pendulum:

  1. Open the door 10-15 cm and estimate the distance to the wall.
  2. Stand by the door, holding the door and elbow-to-body.
  3. Close the door. slowly, controlling the gap with his hand.

For additional protection, stick on the walls of the garage foam bumpers or use magnetic-limiters on the door.