Smoking while driving - not any more!

[damian_steele]

Motorists who smoke at the wheel could be prosecuted under a new rule in the latest edition of the Highway Code.

Smoking drivers would be charged if it is thought they were driving without due care and attention.
Road Safety Minister Jim Fitzpatrick said drivers should not be distracted by other activities behind the wheel.
The first update of the Highway Code for eight years, which is 42 pages longer and has 29 more rules, includes a new safety code for novice drivers.

'Lighting up'
Mr Fitzpatrick told BBC News: "What it says is that drivers should remember they have to concentrate and they shouldn't be distracted either by passengers, by loud music, by reading a map, or using a mobile phone or by smoking.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/7017543.stm

What do you think, folks?

Is it really a big enough issue to warrant prosecuting drivers?

Do you wonder why it took so long for people to recognise the risks?

Should passengers be required to be silent to avoid distracting the driver, too?

What about music? Should manufacturers ensure that music players/radios only work when the car is stationary?

Or has your granddad been driving with a cigarette in his mouth, the radio full blast and with grandma screeching in his ear for the last fifty years with no problems?

[emma5721]

oh here we go again - ridiculous
whats the argument? that having one hand off the wheel for a second to take a puff makes you a dangerous driver?

lol
ban changing gears then

mobile phones i agree with - you cant look at a phone and dial a number whilst keeping your eyes on the road - it is dangerous - i dont look at my cigarette whilst i smoke it lol

i wonder if the anti smoking lobby behind this nonsense
sigh

[Cocksparrer]

I thought this had already been started, im sure this ban started early this year. It also goes for mobile phones, but you still see idiots driving around chatting & piggy drives past & does naff all. So whats the point in having Law if no one abides by it.

[shezz]

I dont smoke anymore, when i did i drove and smoked, I dont see anything wrong


Although I dont smoke anymore I eat behind the wheel crisps, sweets, sandwich's.


if they gonna stop smoking, then think they gotta stop the eating as well



oh forgot to add


I agree wiv stopping the mobile phone's, not even sure if i agree with hands free while driving.

[HannaHolly]

What do you think, folks?

Is it really a big enough issue to warrant prosecuting drivers?

Do you wonder why it took so long for people to recognise the risks?

Should passengers be required to be silent to avoid distracting the driver, too?

What about music? Should manufacturers ensure that music players/radios only work when the car is stationary?

Or has your granddad been driving with a cigarette in his mouth, the radio full blast and with grandma screeching in his ear for the last fifty years with no problems?

I'm in favour of not smoking whilst driving. When I was a smoker i did smoke whilst driving, and it could be very distracting searching for the fags, lighter etc... Banning smoking whilst driving inconveniences a few, ( they can always pull over to feed their addiction) but it potentually saves lives so it gets my vote.

[slinkyri]

some woman cut me up today

was on mobile and smoking and screaming at the kids in the back

I was going slowly cos it was sheeting it down otherwise I'd have hit her

I think that there are stupid people about no matter what the law says

When I smoked I didn't drive any differently to how i drive now

[slinkyri]

I dont smoke anymore, when i did i drove and smoked, I dont see anything wrong


Although I dont smoke anymore I eat behind the wheel crisps, sweets, sandwich's.


if they gonna stop smoking, then think they gotta stop the eating as well



oh forgot to add


I agree wiv stopping the mobile phone's, not even sure if i agree with hands free while driving.

think there is already something about eating and drinking in the law book shezz pmsl

[shelleywelley]

I dont smoke anymore, when i did i drove and smoked, I dont see anything wrong


Although I dont smoke anymore I eat behind the wheel crisps, sweets, sandwich's.


if they gonna stop smoking, then think they gotta stop the eating as well



oh forgot to add


I agree wiv stopping the mobile phone's, not even sure if i agree with hands free while driving.

They already have Shezz ages ago

[emma5721]

i haven't got the exact list but its something along the lines of eating, drinking, talking, picking your nose, scratching your head and no none of it is banned/illegal as such at all

in the new highway code its something along the lines of it is advisable not to do and also the police can use it as a reason when they find you having your vehicle out of control

will find a link somewhere in a min

[slinkyri]

They already have Shezz ages ago

pmsl it's ok shell I'm gonna buy her a highway code for crimble