Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Remember a couple years ago, near an Arlington park, a mom was killed while standing in the street/parking lane at her parked minivan buckling up her kid? Killed by a passing landscaping or construction vehicle, as I recall. Wasn’t the driver of the work vehicle charged?

I remember this incident. This is why I would almost always, always use the sidewalk side to get my kid out of the the car. It can be awkward and inconvenient, but it is so much safer.

+1 I see women standing in the street next to their van all the time with kids and just shake my head. One if the benefits to a minivan is you can easily get in/out from both sides.

Anonymous wrote:Remember a couple years ago, near an Arlington park, a mom was killed while standing in the street/parking lane at her parked minivan buckling up her kid? Killed by a passing landscaping or construction vehicle, as I recall. Wasn’t the driver of the work vehicle charged?

https://www.nbcwashington.com/news/local/dump-truck-driver-goes-on-trial-for-mothers-death/121144/

Never load your kids street side when you have a minivan.

Anonymous wrote:I am weird and always climb over to the passenger seat to get out. Too dangerous to get out in the street. Keeps me flexible.

Not a chance in he11 you actually do this.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Most of them are simply getting out of their cars, OP. I doubt hordes of drivers are leaving their doors wide open for anyone to slap into. But feel free to lithely maneuver into the passenger seat and open the door on the sidewalk side!

That's inaccurate. Because the way to get out of your car is check your mirrors and windows for a break in road traffic, then quickly get out, shut your door, and go to the other side. The people lingering are not "simply getting out of their cars."

My point exactly. Not many people are lingering. I never see any.

Same. I'm going to go out on a limb here and say that most people don't want to get hit by a car or even a bike as they rummage through their car for something. I'm sure it happens but unless PP and I are outliers, it's rare.

I'm not a cyclist, and opening your door wide open is dangerous for YOU, not other drivers. I always honk driving by when people do this. It's so dangerous and avoidable. Just because you are parked, does not mean you are in a parking lot.

Anonymous wrote:Virginia is an assbwckwards redneck hillbilly inbred state with a buffoon for governor.

Is it really any wonder that sort of state would have a law like this? No. No it’s not.

This law was put in place when we had a democrat governor. I'm a dem, and I 1000% support it. You have to be a real moron to open your door wide into an active roadway.

Anonymous wrote:Remember a couple years ago, near an Arlington park, a mom was killed while standing in the street/parking lane at her parked minivan buckling up her kid? Killed by a passing landscaping or construction vehicle, as I recall. Wasn’t the driver of the work vehicle charged?

I remember this incident. This is why I would almost always, always use the sidewalk side to get my kid out of the the car. It can be awkward and inconvenient, but it is so much safer.

I always look before I open my door. I had a friend twenty years ago who hit a door while on a bike.

Virginia is an assbwckwards redneck hillbilly inbred state with a buffoon for governor.

Is it really any wonder that sort of state would have a law like this? No. No it’s not.

Anonymous wrote:The number of people I see opening their car doors, or leaving it ajar while looking for something... is mind boggling. And if someone hits your car door (or you), then YOU are at fault while you are parked. Or if a cyclist gets hurt, YOU will be responsible for their injuries. Why do you do this? Did you know it's illegal?

ROADS are for CARS. Bike TRAILS are for BIKES.

Remember a couple years ago, near an Arlington park, a mom was killed while standing in the street/parking lane at her parked minivan buckling up her kid? Killed by a passing landscaping or construction vehicle, as I recall. Wasn’t the driver of the work vehicle charged?

OP, of course we know that throwing obstructions into traffic is illegal. We just assume that anyone driving in their own lane would rather stop or swerve than deal with the damage our cars cause.

And we know that if we kill a biker, we're almost certainly going to face a prosecutor or judge who is also a car driver and will excuse us from liability.

Stop being a victim. If you can dodge a wrench, you can dodge a car.

Anonymous wrote:Wait, it’s illegal to open your drivers side door?

Yes and stupid to boot.
I'm a defensive driver and see it all the time muttering "nice way to lose a car door"

Car drivers are the worst. None of them keep in their own lane or signal when traffic is passing on the left.

They get a huge portion of land reserved for their use, and it's still not enough.

And that's before spewing toxic chemical into the atmosphere.

Anonymous wrote:Cyclists are the worst. None of them stop for red lights.

Agree.