Everyday driving mistake that could cost you thousands

It takes less than a second. You pull up, park, and swing your car door open without a second thought. But if there's a motorcyclist or cyclist passing at that exact moment, that split-second habit could end in a serious accident and a fine.

This is the dangerous habit known as "car dooring."

Car dooring happens when a driver or passenger opens a car door into the path of an oncoming cyclist or motorcyclist, without checking first. It might seem like a minor lapse in concentration, but the consequences can be severe.

Motorcyclists are especially vulnerable in slow-moving or stationary traffic, where they're legally permitted to filter between lanes. That means a door swinging open unexpectedly from a parked or queuing car can catch them with almost no time to react.

Under Regulation 105 of the Road Vehicles (Construction and Use) Regulations, it is an offence to open a car door and cause injury or danger to another person. Breaking this rule can land you with a fine up to £1,000.

It isn't just the driver who needs to be careful. If a passenger opens a door and causes a collision, the rider can still make a claim against the driver's insurance, since the person in charge of the vehicle can be held liable for their passengers' actions.

This isn't a rare, one-off hazard either. A survey from iamroadsmart.com found 28% of motorcyclists have experienced a parked car door being opened suddenly in their path.

The good news is that avoiding this mistake requires just a small change in habit. Instead of opening your car door with the hand nearest to it, use your opposite hand. This forces your body to twist, which turns your head and shoulders towards the wing mirror and blind spot, exactly where an approaching cyclist or motorcyclist would be. It's a tiny adjustment, but it means you're much more likely to spot something before it's too late.

It's a small habit that could protect a motorcyclist's life and save you from a fine, penalty points, or worse.