When leaving a car from the street side, what is the recommended action?

Exiting a vehicle from the street side poses a significant safety risk due to oncoming traffic. The recommended action of walking around the rear of the car helps to ensure that the individual has a clear view of the traffic coming from behind and can safely make their way to the curb. This method allows the person to gauge the proximity and speed of cars, thereby reducing the risk of entering into the path of an oncoming vehicle.

Walking around the back of the car also provides a natural barrier between the person and traffic, as the car itself can act as a shield. It encourages awareness and caution, which is critical when navigating near moving vehicles. In contrast, choosing to exit quickly and walk directly to the curb may leave a person vulnerable to vehicles that may not have sufficient time to stop or shift lanes safely.

Additionally, turning left to face oncoming traffic is less effective, as it does not address the necessary awareness of the surrounding environment—traffic can approach from multiple directions. Standing in the street after opening the door creates an even higher risk of accidents. Therefore, walking around the rear of the car is the safest approach when exiting from the street side, promoting greater situational awareness and safety.