Hi, my name is meandmurphy! Dutch reach for drivers

meandmurphy

Hi.
My main disability is Lumbar Spondylosis. I drive most days. If you keep up with the Highway Code, you will have seen the new rule for getting out of the car.
It’s known as the DUTCH REACH. Because of my back problems, I can’t do the DUTCH REACH. Does anybody know if I can get a disabled sticker warning cyclists about not being able to do this.
Hello all and thank you.

Alex_Alumni

I'm not sure about a sticker @meandmurphy but I agree the Dutch-reach isn't possible for every driver!

To clarify, it's a way of opening the driver's side door with the hand furthest away from it (that's the left one in the UK), which makes it safer and easier for you to be aware of any approaching cyclists or other traffic. 

I think if you can't reach round with your left hand, you'd need to be as vigilant as you can, and only open the door if you know it's clear and safe to do so. 

How do you feel about the change @meandmurphy?

meandmurphy

Hi Alex_scope.
Things are getting a bit anti car, what with pedestrians getting right of way on junctions, cycle lanes taking a lot of space, ULEZ. To name a few. Plus I was one of those who bought my first diesel when HMG advised us to.

Alex_Alumni

That's interesting, how do you feel about the government's policy to end the sale of petrol and diesel cars by 2030 @meandmurphy? 

I'm sure there are some who would argue that's not early enough given the ongoing impact of climate change, and others who worry there's not enough infrastructure in place to support electric vehicles across the UK.

2oldcodgers

Alex_Scope said:

That's interesting, how do you feel about the government's policy to end the sale of petrol and diesel cars by 2030 @meandmurphy? 

I'm sure there are some who would argue that's not early enough given the ongoing impact of climate change, and others who worry there's not enough infrastructure in place to support electric vehicles across the UK.

I've had to go back to a petrol car. I too moved to Derv following the Government's advice. Then what do they do? They start putting tiny engines in cars. Went to a Vauxhall dealership earlier this year when looking around as to what to get 1.2 cc is the biggest engine they now do What was wrong with the 2.0cc ones I even had a 2.5cc and 3.00cc engine?
Eventually I found a car that had a 2.00cc engine. Great I thought, but guess what that for the UK market they remove the Turbo!! The dealer tells me that the reason is that no one in the UK wants a powerful engine anymore and besides which we have to make everything Green by cutting down on the fuel they use!!
So who forced this on me?

meandmurphy

I don’t think the infrastructure will be ready for Ev’s. I’ve looked into what it would mean for me. A smart charger at home, and only charging when I’m allowed, not when I want.

OverlyAnxious

Slightly different topic but I've been trying to find some sort of sticker to advise other drivers of my situation.  I haven't been able to drive for a while now but want (and need!) to be able to drive again due to the conditions I have.  As I know I'll be a bit slow and dithery to start with, I feel it would be courteous to let other drivers know and perhaps they'll have a bit more patience with it.  

I don't want the wheelchair sticker as I'm not a chair user.  And I don't think enough people know about the sunflower scheme to make a sunflower sticker worthwhile.  It's a shame there isn't another nationally recognised 'disability' symbol that could be used for a sticker.

Alex_Alumni

It is a shame @OverlyAnxious, the only thing I can think of that equates is the 'P' for recently passed, which would be a bit of a white lie obviously, but does prompts other drivers to be aware and have a bit more patience perhaps?