Illinois Pushes Life-Saving Dutch Reach Campaign

The State of Illinois has a new campaign promoting the importance of using the "Dutch Reach", but many drivers are confused about what it is.

Protecting Bicyclists and Pedestrians in Illinois

Summer in Illinois always sees more residents aboard bikes or taking walks to enjoy the weather, but unfortunately, these simple acts come with some dangers too.

During the everyday hustle and bustle of life, too many Illinois drivers aren't paying close enough attention to their surroundings when exiting their vehicles, and tragically, people are dying because of it. That is exactly what Illinois' new 'Dutch Reach' campaign is designed to change.

Red sports car interior with open doors — Photo by Ahnaf Tahsin on Unsplash

What Is the 'Dutch Reach'?

I have been driving for over 30 years now, and shockingly, I have never heard about the 'Dutch Reach' before... have you?

The Dutch Reach is surprisingly simple. Instead of using the hand closest to the door, you use the hand farthest away to open your car door. Using the hand farthest from the door forces your body to turn, making it easy to see bicyclists, pedestrians, or traffic before stepping out of your car.

Hand opening car door with power window controls — Photo by Ansis Kančs on Unsplash

Illinois 'Dutch Reach' Campaign

On June 5, 2026, a Chicago Department of Transportation employee named Riley O’Neil was riding a bike when a vehicle door was opened into his path. After hitting the door, O'Neil lost control of his bike, fell into traffic, and was tragically killed.

This heartbreaking accident was a brutal reminder of how dangerous a simple moment of inattention can be, and is the reason the Illinois Secretary of State's office has renewed its important 'Dutch Reach' campaign.

Look, I get it. Many of us have been opening car doors with our left hands for decades, and changing habits is hard. But, if just a fraction of us make a constant effort to use our right arm and look before we open our car doors, countless injuries and potentially lives could be saved. This sounds like a good reason to change a habit to me.