In most cities, you park on the side of the road instead of in a parking lot. While this may be convenient for motorists, it can be dangerous for pedestrians, who are at a high risk of being hit by car doors as they open. However, Volkswagen has created an exit warning system to reduce the risk of opening a door when a walker or cyclist is nearby.
The Dangers of Dooring
Dooring is the name for hitting a pedestrian with your car's door. As pedestrians generally have less protection than those in a vehicle, they are at risk of serious internal injuries, head injuries, and other disorders. Those who are hit while riding a bike may be at a higher risk of getting hurt as they are traveling at greater speeds when they are hit.
Furthermore, it may be harder for cyclists to break their fall, which can also increase the severity of their injuries. Although there are steps pedestrians can take to keep themselves safe, such as minimizing distractions, it's impossible to account for everyone in your vicinity at once.
How Technology Can Help
Instead of forcing pedestrians to be aware of everything around them, your car will tell you if someone is in your vicinity. A sensor will scan the area around your vehicle and alert you if it's unsafe to open the door. Before opening the door, a light will appear on your side mirror, and if you try to get out of the car, you'll get an audible warning to keep the door closed.
It is important to note that the Volkswagen system only stays on for three minutes after you stop your vehicle. Therefore, you may not receive a warning if you sit in your car for several minutes before exiting. You should also be aware that you could still be liable for injuring a pedestrian even if the system fails to work as intended. Therefore, it's still up to you to be aware of your surroundings when getting out of your car.
If you want to learn more about Volkswagen's new exit warning tool, please visit us today. You can also schedule a test drive or learn more about the vehicles currently for sale at our location.
