Preventing "dooring" accidents involving ride-hailing cars from a safety perspective

Preventing the Recurrence of Ride-Hailing "Dooring" Accidents from a Safety Perspective

Dooring: refers to the act where, after parking, the driver or passenger of a vehicle opens the door without carefully checking the rear situation, causing a pedestrian or vehicle behind to collide with the door due to insufficient reaction time, or to be hit or run over by a vehicle from behind while avoiding it, resulting in a traffic accident.

I. Case Review

On March 27, 2025, the Shunde Procuratorate's official WeChat account published an article titled "Careless Door Opening? Accidentally Causing a 'Dooring' Fatality." "After the defendant, Huang, picked up Yuan through a ride-hailing platform and arrived at the destination, he pulled over on the right side of a no-parking zone. At that time, both were focused solely on settling the fare and failed to observe approaching traffic from behind. As Yuan opened the left rear door to get out, Luo was approaching from behind on an electric bicycle. Luo's electric bicycle collided with the car door, causing Luo to be injured and, after being rushed to the hospital for emergency treatment, to die despite rescue efforts.

In this case, ride-hailing driver Huang temporarily stopped in a no-stopping zone and failed to fulfill his obligation to remind the passenger to confirm safety before getting out, and therefore bears primary liability for the road traffic accident. Passenger Yuan, without observing for approaching vehicles from behind, opened the door directly and caused a death, and therefore bears secondary liability, including administrative liability and civil compensation liability.

The Shunde District Procuratorate held that Huang violated traffic and transportation management regulations, caused a major accident resulting in one death, and bore primary responsibility for the accident. In accordance with Article 133 of the Criminal Law of the People's Republic of China, it initiated a public prosecution against him for the crime of causing a traffic accident. After trial, the court, taking into comprehensive consideration such circumstances as the defendant's compensation to the victim's family and the forgiveness obtained, sentenced Huang to one year of fixed-term imprisonment with one year of probation for the crime of causing a traffic accident. In addition to the criminal liability borne by the driver Huang, Yuan also made civil compensation to Luo's family.”

II. What groups are involved in "dooring" accidents?

The primary victims of "dooring" are cyclists, e-bike riders, or motorcyclists who, unable to react in time, crash into an open car door, or are struck or run over by vehicles behind them while swerving to avoid it. The consequences range from minor injuries such as falls and scrapes to severe outcomes including fractures and even death.

4. Legal regulations on motor vehicle parking

5. The relevant laws and regulations governing motor vehicle parking are primarily reflected in Article 56 of the Road Traffic Safety Law and Article 63 of the Regulations for the Implementation of the Road Traffic Safety Law, which cover three scenarios:

1. Parking is permitted. Parking is allowed in designated locations (such as parking lots) and in parking spaces marked by the government.

2. No parking. Parking is prohibited in the locations specified in Article 63, Paragraph 1, Items 1, 2, and 3 of the Implementing Regulations of the Road Traffic Safety Law.

3. Temporary parking is permitted. That is, temporary parking is allowed in places other than those where parking is legally permitted or prohibited. Temporary parking shall be close to the right side of the road. The driver of a motor vehicle shall not leave the vehicle, and shall drive away immediately after passengers get on or off or goods are loaded or unloaded. It shall not obstruct the passage of other vehicles and pedestrians.

IV. Measures to Prevent "Dooring" Accidents from the Perspective of a Safety Engineer

(1) Commercial vehicle owners

1. When parking, keep the vehicle as close to the curb as possible and stay defensive against electric bikes passing on the right. Use the child lock feature to prevent passengers from opening the doors on their own.

2. Choose vehicles equipped with alarms, delays, and anti-collision features;

3. Try to park in marked parking spaces;

4. After the vehicle comes to a complete stop, turn on the hazard warning flashers, and at the same time observe the situation behind the vehicle through the rearview mirror, promptly taking appropriate protective actions;

5. Promptly remind and correct passengers' actions and behaviors when getting off the vehicle.

(II) Passengers

1. Actively learn and use the "Dutch Reach" method and the "two-stage door opening" method. The former involves opening the car door with the hand farther from the door. The latter means not opening the door all at once, but first opening it a small crack, and then pushing it open after confirming it is safe.

2. Always exit from the right side of the vehicle.

(III) Pedestrians and cyclists

1. Keep to the dedicated non-motorized vehicle lane and follow the principle of driving on the right side of the road.

2. Stay focused and avoid being a phubber; keep a lateral distance from vehicles. When passing vehicles parked on the roadside, be sure to observe carefully, ring your bell to alert the other party before passing, and do not pass too close to the car doors. Control your speed and allow a clearance of 50 centimeters.

3. Always be ready to brake and stop, and develop the ability to identify and anticipate common safety hazards such as "dooring" and "sudden pedestrian emergence."

Life is precious, so slow down and stay safe. Whether you are a driver, a passenger, a pedestrian, or a cyclist, you must revere life and follow the rules, internalizing traffic safety awareness in your heart and putting it into practice in your actions. More importantly, you must “know the dangers and know how to avoid them,” shifting from wanting safety to actively pursuing safety, so that you can protect yourself. Let us join hands and work together to safeguard traffic safety and create a harmonious and orderly traffic environment.

Motto: The wise are precise in law, the enlightened value teachers. With a selfless spirit, pursue profound expertise in the craft.

Attorney Li Zuolin, member of the Communist Party of China, Lawyer's Practice Certificate No.: 14403202110325450. Specializes in criminal defense and work safety management. Since 2000, he has worked at a government-affiliated institution in Shenzhen. With over 20 years of work experience in Shenzhen, he has accumulated extensive social connections and a strong reputation. He specializes in corporate criminal crime prevention, work safety management, as well as administrative disputes, civil compensation, and other legal affairs. He currently serves as permanent legal counsel for multiple companies.