Friend does something dangerous, what do I say?

[LollipopChaos]

I go out occasionally with a friend who I like very dearly. We're both nearly 50. However she has this habit which scares me a bit. She doesn't drive so I always drive. But whenever we arrive at our destination she swings passenger door of car open to get out whilst the car is still moving to park up. It means that I have to finish driving with the door wide open to park properly. This puts extra stress on me to nail parking the car in a space in one attempt.

I feel it would be telling her off to say don't do it, but I just find it dangerous, not to mention the car starts beeping like crazy as a warning that the door is open!

How can I politely advise my friend to remain calm in seat with belt on until the car has come to a complete stop and the handbrake is safely on?

My MIL and FIL both do this and it drives me nuts as it feels terribly unsafe - thr car is still bloody moving! When the children do it we now sarcastically refer to it as "Have you got Nanny X/Grandad Y disease?" This has actually worked pretty well as a dissuading tactic, so every cloud....

Could you say something at the start of the car journey perhaps?

As you are approaching your destination but not at the parking stage say
'Almost there. By the way, can you not open the door till I'm done parking please, it's very off putting and distracting'

im sorry you’re having to go through this but the thread has made me giggle!!! I think it was the bonkers comment that was the straw that broke the camels back!! 🤣🤣🤣 what on earth is she playing at! She sounds like Johnny Knoxville!!!! I think as soon as you’re nearby I would purposely lock the doors if you can and if she mentions anything say ‘I don’t want you pulling one of your stunts again’ - crazy lady!!!
if you emergency stop and all go hurtling forward it’s just like some kind of comedy!

I would stop and make her walk the last 100metres.
Beat her to it

Got nothing useful to add but had to say some of the comments on this thread has literally had tears rolling down my face with laughter.
Can’t believe a grown adult doesn’t understand you need to wait for the car to stop before opening the door 😂😂

You need to use your words. Why on earth have you let her carry on doing this? Just say 'for duck sake Sheila!! Stop opening the fucking door before I've finished parking! It's dangerous and stupid'

Ever heard of paraphrasing? Not necessarily saying something verbatim as Ive typed it out?
Also some of us (me!) need much clearer specific details than others. Its one reason why dh and I are no longer together - because he wasnt clear and specific about things and Im hopeless at taking the hint. Same as Im guessing the ops passenger is. If she was great at noticing hints.......... she'd already know not to do something so stupid.

Exits are here, here and here....... doesnt get the message across to me at all!

Thats so funny

Yes

Shove her in the back.

She will cause your car door to come off sooner or later. Tell her to stop.

Whether you can drive or not, most people over the age of 6 must surely understand the basic concept of motion and how wheels work?

In fact, probably younger than that, considering the average age of people who like singing 'The Wheels On The Bus'.

She really does sound like an absolute idiot.

How old is your car? If it’s fairly new can you not just press the lock button that is only on drivers side that locks all doors?

I've been driving a car when an 11 year old did this. Another car drove by in close proximity and the door crumpled like tinfoil. Costing hundreds of pounds to fix.
Just tell her straight before you set off that it can't happen or you won't be able to drive any more and the two of you will have to get a bus or train. She's putting your car at risk and honestly just needs to be told straight.

😂

It's new... I will take a look at the settings, it's like a computer with so many buttons everywhere. Surely it must have something!

This is my learning objective for today.

My late FIL was like this in his later years. I used to 'I'm just finishing parking so hang on a moment please' as I started to park, which did the trick with him. Fingers crossed you'll resolve the issue!

Don't go down the child lock route - that doesn't solve the root cause of the problem, which is that your dear friend is an absolute thicko.

She's already damaged your boot and you're sitting in silence, be an adult and tell her to stop her moronic behaviour or she won't get a lift.

Even if the passenger door locks, I think she'll just keep frantically pulling the handle until it opens and will probably break it off.

‘Hang on, can you keep the door closed til I have finished manoeuvring, please?’

’I can’t park with the door open because I can’t re the wing mirror’.

Or put the child lock on.

Slam the brakes on? Ok maybe not. Maybe just tell her to stop doing it?

Which is why you have to TELL HER.

Or stop giving her lifts.

Even if the passenger door locks, I think she'll just keep frantically pulling the handle until it opens and will probably break it off.

If she's so terrified at being in the car with you, you will just have to tell her you won't be giving her any more lifts.