Mandatory emergency escape, because a Piper only has one door on the RHS.
Gotta remember that the people were a lot smaller on average when Piper designed the PA-28, about halfway through the previous century.
Coffee on my keyboard now..ROFL
unrestricted view via the DV window
REALLY? Why did they put it off to the side then?
If you have that much oil on your windscreen (or ice for that matter) in a single you won't make an airport.
My money goes to ventilation on the ground and as a side effect it slightly less difficult to close the door in flight. Don't ask me how I know.