Smoking while driving?

Gilbretto

Gilbretto

Gilbretto

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Joined
24 Nov 2007
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888
Location
Leeds
Is it illegal to smoke while driving?

I do smoke and drive, but as i have an automatic i dont see it as much of a problem.

Although when i see a police car i always hide it out of site? Am i being overly cautious for no reason?
 
I believe it's against the highway code but not illegal? Something stupid like that I think.

IMO it should be just as bad as using a mobile. Punishable by a thousand pound fine and 6 points.
 
I love it how fast people attack on here!

I only spark up while i am stationary, therefore not taking my eyes off the road while moving.

Actually smoking while driving doesn't distract from my ability. Why would it? I dont talk to it, listen to it, or look at it! And as i said, i have a free hand due to my car being automatic.

The only person i am harming is myself.

If i drove a manual i doubt i would do it.
 
Gilbretto said:
Why? and how is it comparable to talking on the phone while driving?
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You could drop some ash on your nutsack and you are then distracted and swerving all over the road killing rabbits and babies.

When you light the thing then you are distracted.

It's annoying people throwing fag ends out the window onto my car.
 
peterattheboro said:
You could drop some ash on your nutsack and you are then distracted and swerving all over the road killing rabbits and babies.

When you light the thing then you are distracted.

It's annoying people throwing fag ends out the window onto my car.
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I agree about the fag ends bit- but doesn't deserve 6 points!


Destractions though can be caused by many things.

  • Crazy disruptive kids in the back seat and the parents having to turn around to tell them off is worse than using a phone imo.
  • Having music too loud.
  • Being overly tired.
  • Being old and not capable of driving properly.

All those are more serious than having a fag, which really isn't that difficult to do. 6 points would be a bit harsh imo!!
 
While not condoning smoking, *blatantly unsubstantiated claim from hearsay* I am told that the nicotine, which is a stimulant, increases the speed you react and thus react quicker to things and as such would you brake quicker. Thus safer.
As a biker, I know people who've ended up with cigarette burns from careless car drivers throwing the butts out of the window. The butt ended up in the biker's helmet. Inexcusable. The car driver got a massive fine from what I recall. If not a ban.
 
not illegal, unless it's a company vehicle.

As for is it safe, I guess that depends on how addicted you are, I've seen the state of some people if they go for an hour without a fag and I certainly wouldn't get in the car with them in that state, in that case smoking while driving is the lesser of two evils

As for how bad it is, I guess that depends entirely on your opinion of how bad driving with one hand is.

I agree with the hatred for people who throw their lit fag ends out of the window though, especially the ones that used to end up in my top-mount intercooler.
 
Gilbretto said:
I only spark up while i am stationary, therefore not taking my eyes off the road while moving.
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'I only speak on the phone at traffic lights with the engine running.' It is still punishable by the same amount as speaking on the phone whilst driving past a school at chuck out time.

They had two good opportunities in the past to ban smoking (banning mobiles and smoking in public places) and should have acted on it then.
 
Ash tray mate. Only have a fag if i'm on a long journey.

I dont see sparking at the lights being a problem. Nor do i see talking on the phone at the lights a problem. All though it would have to be a pretty short phone call otherwise it'd be pointless. If your still, with handbrake on how can you harm anyone?

And whats with the no smoking brigade!!? I'd rather not smoke, sadly its not that easy. You wouldn't know if you have never smoked, or if you were the ones who luckily, managed to give up easily.

Again, comparing smoking to talking on the phone is silly. Completely different things.
 
Trifid said:
They had two good opportunities in the past to ban smoking (banning mobiles and smoking in public places) and should have acted on it then.
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A total smoking ban would be a great thing. Its never gonna happen tho.

The partial bans were simply a political move to gain popularity. Next decade they'll jump on another easy target to win votes.

But hey, that's off topic.
 
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