One little-known Highway Code rule means Brits can get slapped with a massive fine just for getting out of the car.
The rules of the road dictate everything you do in and around driving and a number of more esoteric rules can sometimes catch you out.
One such rule includes the simple act of getting out of your car.
It can, in fact, land you a massive £1,000 fine under the Highway Code.
According to it, if you get out of the car and do not take into account those passing by as you do so, you can get fined.
This means, if you’re distracted and on the phone and accidentally open your door into a passing cyclist, or the path of a motorcycle or car, you could find yourself in a whole host of trouble.
Rule 239 of the Highway Code says: “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 motorcyclists passing you on the road, or to people on the pavement”.
This is known as the ‘Dutch Reach’ after the term was coined in the Netherlands.
So if you’re on the right-hand side of a car, behind the wheel, you use your left hand to open the door, making you turn your head over your shoulder to look.
This then means you’re less likely to cause an incident or injury to anyone passing, be it on the road or pavements.
Cyclists say drivers and passengers must adhere to the rule to protect cyclists instead of opening a door without looking.
Campaigners group Cycling UK estimates this can injure up to 500 people every year in the UK, MyLondon reported.
