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| Version 0 | Version 1 |
|---|---|
| Smoking drivers risk prosecution | Smoking drivers risk prosecution |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| Motorists who smoke at the wheel could be prosecuted under a new rule in the latest edition of the Highway Code. | 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. | 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. | 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. | 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' | '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. | 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. |
| Concentration is very important in the prevention of accidents Jim FitzpatrickRoad Safety Minister | Concentration is very important in the prevention of accidents Jim FitzpatrickRoad Safety Minister |
| "If you're lighting up with one hand and have a fag in the other hand then obviously you've not got any hands on the wheel. | "If you're lighting up with one hand and have a fag in the other hand then obviously you've not got any hands on the wheel. |
| "So I think what we're saying is concentration is very important in the prevention of accidents." | "So I think what we're saying is concentration is very important in the prevention of accidents." |
| The driving booklet takes into account new laws over vehicle emissions and smoking in vehicles that are considered workplaces. | The driving booklet takes into account new laws over vehicle emissions and smoking in vehicles that are considered workplaces. |
| New initiatives such as quiet lanes, high-occupancy vehicle lanes, home zones and active traffic management schemes are also included. | New initiatives such as quiet lanes, high-occupancy vehicle lanes, home zones and active traffic management schemes are also included. |
| 'Polarise opinions' | 'Polarise opinions' |
| Mr Fitzpatrick said the Highway Code was a "crucial tool for all road users" and was for life and not just for passing the driving test. | Mr Fitzpatrick said the Highway Code was a "crucial tool for all road users" and was for life and not just for passing the driving test. |
| Andrew Howard, head of road safety for AA Public Affairs, believed motorists would be divided over the new smoking guidance. | Andrew Howard, head of road safety for AA Public Affairs, believed motorists would be divided over the new smoking guidance. |
| He said: "A major change is the code's inclusion of smoking at the wheel as behaviour that police may interpret as a distraction and failure to be in proper control of the vehicle. | He said: "A major change is the code's inclusion of smoking at the wheel as behaviour that police may interpret as a distraction and failure to be in proper control of the vehicle. |
| "This addition will polarise drivers' opinions both for and against." | "This addition will polarise drivers' opinions both for and against." |
| 'No evidence' | |
| Campaign group Forest described the new smoking rule as "totally unnecessary". | |
| Director Simon Clark said: "There are already rules concerning reckless driving and if it can be proved that somebody has driven recklessly they can be prosecuted. | |
| "There's not a shred of evidence that smoking is a cause of accidents, or any more of a distraction than changing a CD or air-conditioning controls. | |
| "They're treating adults as if we're all stupid. | |
| "Our concern is that they say it's just a guideline now but within a year or two there will be people who say 'let's ban smoking while driving'." |