The Progressive Conservative MLA for Pictou Centre is pushing for a change to the Nova Scotia Driver’s Handbook.
Pat Dunn would like to see a small practice known as the Dutch Reach, included in new driver education.
Having taught new drivers for a number of years, Dunn says this simple practice could essentially save lives by forcing drivers to swivel or reach around when opening their car doors.
“As you’re swivelling, you not only see the outside mirror, you can easily look back wards for other traffic that may be coming,” says Dunn.
Dunn, a father of six children himself, notes how a gesture so simple can have a big impact on road safety especially for cyclists.
He says after doing some research, he realized just how helpful the Dutch Reach could be and he says there’s been a lot of support for the proposed Bill.
“I mean, in many large cities, even in Canada, one in five bicycle accidents are involving car doors; people opening a passenger door or a driver door,” adds Dunn.
The proposed Bill to have the Dutch Reach added to the provincial drivers handbook may be brought up for a second reading as early as Wednesday (April 11th, 2018) which is opposition day.
Dunn feels it’s something small with a potentially huge impact; especially when it comes to safety.
