[ashishmacaden]

UK is talking about legalizing a “Dutch Reach” law to prevent this. Open the door with the farthest hand so that you are turning to look back before opening. https://www.theaa.com/driving-advice/safety/dutch-reach

[rajathv8]

Originally Posted by KryptonMonkey

Apart from the usual drive safely sermon, my sincere recommendations to all readers: [b]Please do not drive without a dashcam.

Dashcam proved its worth in your case. Had the WagonR driven away, this would have appeared as a Verna-Bike incident.
The dashcam also shows that you were slowing down gradually from 31kmph to 22kmph just before the biker falls down.

Originally Posted by Thad E Ginathom

I guess we can only start with our own families. Especially the youngsters.

This is easier said than done. You would be surprised how many educated folks, even within family circles, take this for granted.

[SS-Traveller]

A bit of distracted driving here, in dense traffic. I managed to nudge a scooter because my foot wasn't on the brake pedal too firmly, and the car creeped up to touch the scooter ahead.

On second thoughts, I probably got him to move away and clear my path more quickly than he would have otherwise.

https://youtu.be/W_8qUHNI8qw?si=bie2ESZaTvwZAclc

[Thad E Ginathom]

Originally Posted by ashishmacaden

UK is talking about legalizing a “Dutch Reach” law to prevent this.

Haha. I had to go outside and sit in my car to find out how I habitual open the door! These things become so automatic.

OK, I do usually use my right hand to operate the door latch. But I do look. Initially in the ORVM, and then physically, both ways.

The technique of using the opposite hand might help. But one can still do it without twisting the body. It's a good idea. But as a law? Sorry, but I think it would be a stupid law, simply because good laws are enforceable, and this one would be 100% unenforceable. But UK could include in its highway code.

Originally Posted by rajathv8

This is easier said than done. You would be surprised how many educated folks, even within family circles, take this for granted.

Oh so true! In fact I am personally wondering how I can tell my wife about the dead biker I mentioned in my previous post!

[GeeTee TSI]

Originally Posted by KryptonMonkey

A careless taxi passenger opened the door into the traffic without looking out for passing vehicles. A motorcycle rider passing by crashed into the car door and fell.

I hate it when co passengers get off before my (driver's) green signal, possibly the worst way to injure others. Driver would have of course been busy on his phone.

[Thad E Ginathom]

I'm a bit obsessive about being only a couple of inches from the kerb, and I often want to adjust to be closer. Have to tell Mrs G, please wait until I have actually stopped.

[deathwalkr]

Originally Posted by SS-Traveller

A bit of distracted driving here, in dense traffic. I managed to nudge a scooter because my foot wasn't on the brake pedal too firmly, and the car creeped up to touch the scooter ahead.

On second thoughts, I probably got him to move away and clear my path more quickly than he would have otherwise.

Er, not sure why you would blame the car for creeping up to touch the scooter ahead. That scooter dude seemed to be in a hurry to go home otherwise you could have gotten an earful.

Also not sure where the distraction came from as it seems you were stopped and just waiting for traffic to clear up.

I don't drive an automatic but i think this is the equivalent of saying I drive a manual so if my car rolls back and hits vehicle at the back it's not my fault.

[Thad E Ginathom]

Originally Posted by deathwalkr

Er, not sure why you would blame the car ...

I think you are misunderstanding him

Originally Posted by SS-Traveller

A bit of distracted driving here, in dense traffic. I managed to nudge a scooter because my foot wasn't on the brake pedal too firmly, and the car creeped up to touch the scooter ahead.

SS-Traveller is an instructor in defensive driving, and the last person I'd expect not to take responsibility for his own mistakes.

[Xpresstrainfast]

Originally Posted by Axe77

Not completely sure but this might be the first fatal accident on the Atal Setu maybe?

The Picture of the accident indicates a safe passenger cabin (at least from the angle of the photo this was shot in) and functional airbags. I am guessing that its a F10 5 Series by the looks of it.

Edit: Just realized that this took place at 2:30 AM! I suppose he was drowsy but at same time tempted to make a late-night/early-morning high speed drive at the Atal Setu for refreshment (though I don't rule out the possibility of DUI)

[ramki.grandhi]

Speeding Octavia lost control and hits a lorry head on. People lost lives, this why we keep saying, defensive and careful driving saves lives not the car build quality alone.
Also, can any of the experts help me understand if level 2 ADAS could've avoided the accident in this scenario?

https://youtu.be/W_ifGXJbNTE?feature=shared&t=16

[whitewing]

Originally Posted by ramki.grandhi

Also, can any of the experts help me understand if level 2 ADAS could've avoided the accident in this scenario?

It appears the car was coming out of a curve at high speed. ADAS also needs line of sight to be effective isn't it? At best would have reduced the collision impact by a bit.

[Chetan_Rao]

Originally Posted by ramki.grandhi

...
Also, can any of the experts help me understand if level 2 ADAS could've avoided the accident in this scenario?

Unmarked roads so no Lane Assist ADAS would work, which anyhow have curvature limitations for autonomous intervention so will warn and disengage beyond a pre-programmed point.

Collision avoidance/emergency braking feature, you DO NOT want your car slamming on the anchors while negotiating a narrow curve at speed with limited room to manoeuvre, that's just a ticket to join the scenery in haste.

Far too many people on our roads treat ADAS like some magical guardian angel. Competing with physics has a foregone conclusion, the only unknown is how badly it ends.

P.S. I don't understand the language, did the truck driver survive? If he did, he should thank whatever deity he prays to for the presence of the CCTV camera, or he'd be on the hook for the car driver's vehicular suicide.

[ramki.grandhi]

Originally Posted by Chetan_Rao

Far too many people on our roads treat ADAS like some magical guardian angel. Competing with physics has a foregone conclusion, the only unknown is how badly it ends.

Thanks for the explanation, now I understand this. I'm still wondering, if emergency braking feature could reduce the impact. Say, if vehicle could brake itself half a second early than manual intervention, can it have some positive impact?

[Chetan_Rao]

Originally Posted by ramki.grandhi

... Say, if vehicle could brake itself half a second early than manual intervention, can it have some positive impact?

It depends.

The question isn't just 'would an extra fraction of a second of machine-assisted reaction time help?', the critical add-on bit is 'to do what?'.

Braking isn't always the solution to a dangerous situation, often the ability to steer and maintain traction is far more important to avoid an incident, esp. when dealing with a moving obstacle like another vehicle, a human or an animal.

It's important to remember we might have ADAS but the other party may not, and they might react to the situation in a way (and time) we and/or our vehicle's autonomous aids can't predict with adequate certainty.

There's no 'X would definitely help' blanket answer. It's entirely situational.

[Chetan_Rao]

Originally Posted by Thad E Ginathom

...But how do we get the message out there? I guess we can only start with our own families. Especially the youngsters...

'Look before you open the door!' is phrase I instinctively associate with and mumble whenever I hear a seatbelt click; another thing to credit my instructor for drumming into us from day 1. Feels funny when driving solo, but it's always helpful because even a solo driver isn't immune to opening the door in a hurry without looking.