DRAMATIC footage shows the moment driver avoids serious injury as his car door is ripped from its hinges after opening it into path of passing vehicle.
The collision happened on August 19 at 11.38am on Riverbank Road in Sunderland, Tyne and Wear.
Driving Instructor Peter Scott was driving past the parked green Range Rover Freelander close to the Driver Test Centre, and a white Ford Fiesta is coming the opposite direction.
Moments later the driver of the Freelander opens his door without looking, and the Fiesta hits it bending it back on itself and ripping it from its hinges.
He appears in shock as he gets out of the vehicle and begins to pick up his possessions strewn across the road.
The Highway code rule 239 states that you must ensure you do not hit anyone when you open your door – check for cyclists or other traffic.
Peter, 57, from DrewMatic Driving School shared the footage online and wrote: “Thankfully nobody was hurt, but this is an example why you should check your mirrors and blind spots before exiting your vehicle, and why you should try to pass a doors width from parked vehicles.”
The clip has been viewed over 15,000 times and the post has received over 200 comments however viewers are divided over who is to blame.
One user commented: “The f****n idiot in the Freelander is at fault, pick up yer door ya stupid ar*e you’ll no be dain that again.”
Another said: “This happened to a friend of mine and the plonker opening the door was at fault in both insurance company’s eyes.”
A third wrote: “If the fiesta had been a cyclist things would be different, always check before throwing your door open into passing traffic.”
A fourth added: “This is why you should always open the door with the arm furthest from the damn door.
“It stops you opening it quickly and forces your body to turn to look behind you as you open the door to see if anything is oncoming.”
Northumbria Police were unable to find any record of the incident being reported to them.
A spokesman for the force said: Anyone who sees anybody driving in a dangerous manner is asked to report it to Police by calling 101.”