Getting out of the car seems like the simplest action - open the door, get out, close it. But traffic accident statistics show the opposite: up to 12% of accidents in city traffic occur due to improper disembarkation of passengers or drivers. Moreover, not only pedestrians are to blame here, but also those who remain behind the wheel: a sudden opening of the door can lead to a collision with a cyclist or motorcyclist, and a careless step on the roadway can lead to a collision. In this article we will analyze technical, legal and ethical aspects getting out of the car, which will help avoid fines, conflicts and injuries.

We will pay special attention to situations where the rules are ignored most often: landing on supermarket parking lots, stopping on the side of a country road or getting out of a taxi in traffic. We'll also explain why Dutch Reach rule reduces the risk of accidents by 40% and how to use it even in close quarters Kia Rio or Lada Granta. The material will be useful for both experienced drivers and beginners who are just learning the basics of driving.

Why wrong landing is dangerous: statistics and real cases

According to traffic police, in 2023, more than 3,000 accidents related to opening car doors were recorded in Russia. In 78% of cases, the victims were cyclists and motorcyclists who did not have time to react to a sudden obstacle. For example, in Moscow on Leninsky Prospekt driver Toyota Camry opened the door right in front of a courier on an electric scooter - he suffered a broken collarbone and was suing for 1.2 million rubles.

Another common situation: a passenger enters the roadway from the driver’s side (the so-called “blind exit”). B St. Petersburg in 2022, such a maneuver cost the life of a 9-year-old girl who was hit by a truck Scania. The driver of the car where the child got out was fined 30,000 rubles under article 12.18 Code of Administrative Offenses of the Russian Federation (“Violation of boarding/disembarking rules”).

  • 🚲 Cyclists and scooters: 65% of collisions occur due to suddenly opened doors.
  • 🏍️ Motorcyclists: The risk of death in a collision with a door is 3 times higher than in an accident with a car.
  • 👶 Children: 40% of disembarkation injuries are caused by adults not holding the child’s hand.
  • 🚗 Drivers: fine for creating an emergency during disembarkation - up to 5,000 rubles (Art. 12.19 Code of Administrative Offenses of the Russian Federation).

However, most accidents could have been avoided if road users had followed three basic rules: checking mirrors, using the Dutch reach technique and exit only from the sidewalk. More about this in the following sections.

📊 How often do you witness a dangerous exit from a car?
Often (once a week)
Sometimes (once a month)
This doesn't happen near me
I don't pay attention

Dutch Reach Technique: How to Open a Door Without Risking Others

Dutch Reach Method was introduced in the Netherlands in the 1970s and reduced the number of accidents involving cyclists by 27%. Its essence is to open the door opposite hand, which automatically turns the body and makes you look back. For example, if you are sitting in the driver's seat, the door must be opened right hand, not the left.

Step-by-step instructions for the driver:

  1. Stop the car, turn on alarm (if landing on the roadway).
  2. Look in left side mirror for the presence of cyclists or motorcyclists.
  3. Turn your body to the right and grab right hand by the inside door handle.
  4. Slowly open the door 10–15 cm and check the situation again.
  5. If there is no interference, open the door completely and leave.

Make sure the car has come to a complete stop

Turn on the hazard lights (when disembarking on the road)

Check left mirror for cyclists

Use the Dutch Reach technique

Exit only from the sidewalk -->

For rear seat passengers, the rule is similar: if you are sitting on the left, open the door right hand, and vice versa. In cramped cars (eg. Hyundai Solaris or Renault Logan) it may be inconvenient, but safety first! As a last resort, ask the driver to help open the door.

⚠️ Attention: If you park on a slope, before opening the door secure the car with the handbrake. In 2021 in Yekaterinburg Nissan Qashqai rolled backward after the driver got out without putting the car on the handbrake - as a result, two pedestrians were injured.

In Russia, violation of the rules of getting out of a car is regulated by two articles Code of Administrative Offenses of the Russian Federation:

Article Violation Fine Additional measures
12.18 Disembarking from the side of the roadway or opening the door without checking 3,000 rub. —
12.19 p.1 Creating an emergency during disembarkation 5,000 rub. Deprivation of rights for 1–3 months (for repeated violation)
12.27 p.2 Getting out of a car while drunk 10,000–15,000 rub. Arrest for 15 days
12.30 p.m. 1 Violation causing minor harm to health 2,500–5,000 rub. Compensation for damage to the victim

Important: if an accident occurs during your disembarkation, the blame automatically falls on the one who opened the door (clause 12.7 of the traffic rules). An exception is cases when the victim himself violated the rules (for example, riding a bicycle on the sidewalk). There are precedents in judicial practice when drivers paid before 3 million rubles compensation for injuries sustained in a “door” accident.

The punishment for disembarking while intoxicated is especially severe. For example, in Krasnodar in 2023, a passenger leaving BMW X5 while intoxicated and causing the accident, he was fined 15,000 rubles and deprived of his license for 1.5 years (despite the fact that he was not driving!).

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If you are fined for an incorrect disembarkation, check the protocol for errors. Often inspectors indicate the wrong item (for example, 12.29 instead of 12.18), which allows you to challenge the fine in court.

Drop-off in different situations: parking, highway, taxi

Landing rules vary depending on the situation. Let's look at the most common scenarios:

1. Parking at a store or shopping center

The main danger here is children and carts. According to statistics, 30% of collisions in parking lots occur because a child runs out from behind a parked car. Algorithm of actions:

  • 🛒 Park back to the sidewalk (if space allows) - this makes disembarkation safer.
  • 👀 Before opening the door, look around: there are no carts, running children or cars that are backing up.
  • 👫 If you have a child with you, go out first and take him in your arms (even if he is 6-7 years old).

2. Stopping on the side of a country road

On highways (eg. M4 "Don" or M11 "Neva") landing requires special care:

  • 🚗 Turn it on alarm and put up a sign emergency stop (at least 15 m from the car).
  • 🚶 Exit only from the side roadsides, and not the roadway.
  • 👕 Put it on reflective vest (required according to GOST R 52290-2004).
⚠️ Attention: On highways with a speed limit of >90 km/h prohibited get out of the car without a reflective vest. Fine - 1,000 rubles (Art. 12.20 Code of Administrative Offenses of the Russian Federation).

3. Exiting a taxi in the city

Taxi drivers (especially Yandex Go or Citymobil) often stop in inconvenient places. Your actions:

  • 🚖 Ask the driver to pull up to the sidewalk, even if you have to drive 20–30 meters.
  • 💳 Payment after disembarkation - so you won't be in a hurry.
  • 👟 Come out facing the flow of trafficto see approaching cars.
What to do if a taxi driver refuses to pull up to the curb?

According to clause 5.1 of the Rules for the Transportation of Passengers, the driver is obliged to stop at an authorized place convenient for disembarkation. If he refuses, you have the right:

1. Do not pay for the trip (if the disembarkation is dangerous).

2. Complain to the aggregator support service (with photo/video evidence).

3. Demand compensation of up to 5,000 rubles for creating an emergency (Art. 12.19 Code of Administrative Offenses of the Russian Federation).

Disembarkation etiquette: how not to ruin relationships with the driver and passengers

In addition to safety, it is also important culture of behavior. For example, in Japan It is customary to place your hand on the back of the front seat when exiting a taxi - this is a sign of gratitude to the driver. There are no such traditions in Russia, but they have their own unspoken rules:

  • 🤝 Thank the driver (even if the trip was inconvenient).
  • 🚪 Don't slam the door - This is a sign of disrespect and can damage the mechanism.
  • 👛 Don't forget things: 40% of lost phones and bags are left in cars due to rush.
  • 🕒 Don't stay late: If you need to pack, do it before you stop.

Etiquette is especially important when traveling car sharing (Delimobil, BelkaCar). The “left as found” rule applies here:

  • 🗑️ Remove the trash (even if it’s not yours).
  • 🪑 Return the seat and mirrors to their original position.
  • 🔑 Close the car and check if your belongings are left in the cabin.

On business trips (for example, on Mercedes S-Class or Audi A8) etiquette is stricter: it is customary to go out after the driver, if he opens the door for you, and do not touch the handles yourself. In some companies (for example, Uber Black) Violation of these rules may result in your account being blocked.

Common mistakes and how to avoid them

Even experienced drivers sometimes make mistakes when disembarking. Here are the most common:

Error Consequences How to avoid
Exit to the roadway Fine 3,000 rubles. or road accident Always exit from the sidewalk
Opening the door without checking the mirrors Collision with a cyclist Use the "Dutch reach"
Dropping off children unattended A child may run into the road The adult comes out first and takes the child by the hand.
Forgotten handbrake on a slope The car will roll and cause damage Always lock the car with the handbrake
Getting out of the taxi before it comes to a complete stop Falls and injuries Wait until the driver says “you can get off”

Another common mistake is getting out of the car in the dark without lighting. According to traffic regulations, pedestrians are required to have reflective elements, but this rule is often ignored. B Novosibirsk in 2022 the woman left Skoda Octavia in an unlit parking lot and was hit by a car Ford Focus — the driver simply didn’t see her. A forensic examination found the victim guilty because she did not have reflectors.

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The most dangerous mistake is getting out of the car from the side of the roadway. According to statistics, 80% of collisions with pedestrians during disembarkation occur in such cases.

How to teach children to get out of the car correctly

Children under 12 years of age are the most vulnerable category of passengers. According to WHO, the risk of injury to a child during disembarkation is 5 times higher than that of an adult. Basic rules for children:

  1. Always exit from the sidewalk. If the car is parked on the left side of the road (in countries with right-hand traffic), the child should exit through the right door.
  2. Wait for an adult's command. The phrase “Stop until I say so” should be mandatory.
  3. Holding hands until you completely exit the car and close the door.
  4. Don't run ahead of an adult - especially in parking lots.

Game methods can be used for learning:

  • 🎮 Role play: Let the child drive the toy car and “land” the dolls.
  • 📺 Video instructions: show videos from traffic police or AvtoVAZ about the rules of disembarkation.
  • 🏆 Promotion: praise for correct actions (“Well done, you came out like a real driver!”).
⚠️ Attention: Never let your child open the door yourself from the side of the roadway. B Kazan in 2021 a 5 year old boy opened the door Volkswagen Polo and was hit by a passing GAZelle — the injuries turned out to be incompatible with life.

For teenagers 12–16 years old it is useful to explain legal liability. For example, if a teenager opens the door and causes an accident, the parents will pay the fine (Art. 2.3 Code of Administrative Offenses of the Russian Federation), and in case of serious consequences, a criminal case may be initiated.

FAQ: Answers to frequently asked questions

Is it possible to get out of the car if it is in automatic transmission without a handbrake?

No, it's dangerous. Even on a flat surface, the car can roll due to vibrations or gusts of wind. Always secure the car hand brake or regime Parking (P).

What to do if the door is jammed and won’t open?

Do not try to open it by force - this can damage the mechanism. Try:

  1. Rock the door up and down while pulling the handle.
  2. Press on the door from the outside (sometimes it helps with misalignment).
  3. Use WD-40 or similar lubricant on the lock.

If all else fails, call a tow truck or a repairman. auto electrics.

Who is to blame if I get out of the car and get hit?

The culprit is determined by the circumstances:

  • If you went out from the side of the roadway - the blame is on you (v. 12.18 Code of Administrative Offenses of the Russian Federation).
  • If you went out according to the rules, but the driver did not have time to brake - the fault is on him (Art. 12.24 Code of Administrative Offenses of the Russian Federation).
  • If you were in drunk — the fault is always on the pedestrian.

In controversial cases, recording with registrar or witness statements.

Do I need to buckle up in the back seat if I get out immediately?

Yes, necessarily. According to traffic regulations (clause 2.1.2), all passengers must wear seat belts, even if the trip lasts 1 minute. The fine for an unbelted passenger is 1,000 rubles (Art. 12.6 Code of Administrative Offenses of the Russian Federation).

Is it possible to get out of the car at a railway crossing if the train is still far away?

Absolutely prohibited. At a crossing, disembarkation is permitted only if emergency situation (fire, fuel leak). In other cases - a fine of 1,000 rubles or deprivation of rights for 3-6 months (Art. 12.10 Code of Administrative Offenses of the Russian Federation).