DRIVERS have been warned about an often-forgotten rule that could land them a £2,500 fine and a possible driving ban.
Smoking at the wheel isn’t illegal, but it distracts from the road and can be used to demonstrate careless or dangerous driving.
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Car experts at Quotezone.co.uk claim that taking eyes off the road to light a cigarette could put road users at risk, as the highway code specifically lists smoking as a distraction.
Rule 148 of the Highway Code says: “Safe driving needs concentration. Avoid distractions when driving or riding such as loud music, trying to read maps, starting or adjusting any music or radio, arguing with your passengers or other road users, eating and drinking and smoking.”
Coupled with bad driving, the habit could lead to a case in court, a fine of up to £2,500, nine penalty points and even a temporary ban.
Smoking while driving could lead to an accident, incurring even more severe consequences like imprisonment if it was proven that the driver was distracted by their actions.
Also, drivers caught discarding their cigarettes from their car window may face a fine between £50 and £100.
And it’s worth knowing that, under the Children and Families Act 2015, it is against the law to smoke in a vehicle with someone under eighteen present – if caught, it could result in a fine.
The law was changed in October 2015 in order to protect children and young people from the effects of secondhand smoking.
If caught, you will be handed a £50 fine.
However, the law doesn’t apply to e-cigarette users or 17-year-old drivers who are alone in the car.
It also does not apply to drivers of convertible cars with the roof completely down.
But, it still applies if you have windows or a sunroof open, if you have the air conditioning on or if you sit in the open doorway of the vehicle.
In addition to being fined, your car’s residual value could suffer.
According to a recent survey carried out by What Car?, 85.6% of used buyers would be less likely to consider a vehicle that had been smoked in over an otherwise identical model.
