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U.K. Cracks Down on Smoking While Driving, Should We Do The same?
Whilst many smokers would consider their car as the last refuge from the ban that has prevented them from lighting up in public they can now be prosecuted for driving without due care and attention.

Under the new Highway Code, which comes into force today, having a cigarette while driving is a breach of the rules of the road and classed as a "distraction".

It means that if a driver crashes his or her car while smoking they could be charged with driving without due care and attention. That could mean a fine of up to £2,500, three to nine penalty points or even a ban.

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U.K. Cracks Down on Smoking While Driving, Should We Do The same?



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ShredmoShredmo - 9/28/2007 11:58:08 AM
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What is next, listening to the radio, having to go to the bathroom? Note: I do not smoke.

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EL34EL34 - 9/28/2007 12:00:21 PM
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Smokers don't bother me when I'm driving my car, but I want loud car stereos to be illegal.

Anyone with a subwoofer should receive 2 years in prison if the sound is loud enough to be heard by the car next to it.

I say all this and I am a guitar player that has owned tens of thousands of dollars in amps!

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EnnNorakEnnNorak - 9/28/2007 10:02:33 PM
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I agree with both above even though I don't smoke and believe smoking to be a lo-life disease. If smoking while driving is banned, there will b a lot of nervous drivers causing acccidents as smokers need that nicotine fix to calm their nerves.
Anyway, smokers doom themselves to an early death which leaves more old age social benefits for the rest of us. They do cause higher health costs while alive though.


jeffy210jeffy210 - 9/28/2007 12:00:58 PM
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reposting what i posted when this article was on here back in May:

5/14/2007 12:39:19 PM +4

Buh? Okay seriously, as much as I do abhor smoking and wouldn't mind seeing it banned in public places, this is in your own PRIVATE car. That's like saying you can't smoke in your house!

What a person wishes to do in the confines of their private spaces (home, car, etc) is up to them. Seriously, this is nothing more than attempting to legislate morals through the guise of public safety.

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jeffy210jeffy210 - 9/28/2007 12:01:34 PM
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link to same article from a few months ago:

http://www.autospies.com/news/UK-Considers-Banning-In-Car-Smoking-15142/


rg12345rg12345 - 9/28/2007 12:27:04 PM
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it's not like that. you can't really compare your car to your house. I mean, cooking while driving should be illegal. So, what a person wishes to do while in their private car/driving is NOT up to them entirely, or else everyone could start drinking while driving. That is what u say? If it's a danger to the others than it should be banned. I am not sure how much a distraction is smoking, I am just commenting onto your post.


LexSucksLexSucks - 9/28/2007 12:29:07 PM
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Jeffy, Smoking at your house and smoking in your car are two different things.

When you are smoking at your house you are not operating a 3000+lbs vehicle. If you drop your lit cigarette while you are smoking at home all you have to do is pick it back up. If you drop a lit cigarette (inside your car) while you are driving it can be a disaster. Smoking and driving can be dangerous.


Agent009Agent009 - 9/28/2007 12:31:20 PMView My AgentSpace
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Jeffy- first article was considering, second article is it is now law.


RupertRupert - 9/29/2007 6:52:00 PMView My AgentSpace
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How can anyone condone smoking in their car? It's so dangerous! Only one hand, you have to light it, get it out its packet, actually smoke it...and if you drop it on your lap? Or on the floor? You are in control of a large mass with the power of something like 200 horses (think about that carefully) which can be moving at high speed, in which a second's lapse in concentration can cause a crash. And you want to fiddle around with a burning stick? I might as well say I want to have a little incense shrine in my car, and that it's ok to pray to it.

This is not an attempt to legislate morals, this is protecting other road users.

And why does no one complain about civil liberties being infringed because certain drugs are banned? Everyone treats cigarettes like they're special or something, but they're not. They're drugs, which cause disease and illness. And Jeffy, I don't see you complaining about the government legislating morals because heroin is banned.
And BTW, going out in Britain is so much nicer now smoking is banned in enclosed public spaces (pubs, clubs etc) and workplaces (which includes company cars).


rok_altimarok_altima - 9/30/2007 1:05:03 PM
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Only a handful of states have imposed a smoking ban in public places like clubs, restaurants, etc. It is so much better as you don't smell like smoke anymore. I believe the state of Connecticut was contemplating banning and fining people smoking in cars that had children in them as well, but I don't think it passed.

A few states have also imposed a no cell phone law while driving..though it doesn't deter people as much as you think..first offense is a $250 fine in one state I believe.


LexSucksLexSucks - 9/28/2007 12:24:42 PM
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I think we should be more concerned about people talking on cell phones while driving.

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Agent009Agent009 - 9/28/2007 12:32:59 PMView My AgentSpace
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I actually agree. We need to take a step in that direction nationally about cell phones.


lewissalemlewissalem - 9/28/2007 2:03:57 PM
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Yes, I don't care if the guy next to me is smoking like a chimney. We need hands free bluetooth as a stand-alone cheap option on all vehicles.

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Fan1234Fan1234 - 9/28/2007 7:06:03 PM
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BMfanBMfan - 9/29/2007 6:18:26 AM
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And smoking,i was almost in an accident because the driver looked down to find his cigs. So i say ban them,and at least on the plus side when i get into someones car its not going to stink.

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C88CC88C - 10/3/2007 4:46:42 AMView My AgentSpace
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Good idea, less of a fire hazard too because a lot of people chuck their cigs out the window when they're done.


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2007Tahoe2007Tahoe - 10/8/2007 11:13:44 PM
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WTF.....


I may hate the smell of cigarrettes (Makes me very sick sometimes) But this is WAY too far. This is on the same level as banning listening to a radio in your car... Or even rolling up or down a window.

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