| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| NAZZ |
Posted - 28/09/2007 : 12:44:58 Police canot seem to catch ppl using mobiles whilst driving so how is this going to be enforced?
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.
Concentration is very important in the prevention of accidents Jim Fitzpatrick Road Safety Minister
Quiz: Highway Code
"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."
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.
'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.
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.
"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'."
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| 30 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| thedelboy |
Posted - 30/09/2007 : 10:28:27 FACT LT smokers pay more into the health service than non smokers, FACT there are no deaths through a driver smoking behind the wheel on record FACT it is some twat in westminster who is a non smoking chauffer drivenoverpaid underworked (with gauranteed pension that we pay for)who comes up with these dumbassed Ideas((((OK this that bit may not be fact) |
| FUBAR |
Posted - 30/09/2007 : 07:55:52 quote: other passengers will have double benefit from it.
But you can't carry other people in your car, they would be a distraction and you'll get a ticket for not paying attention. the future awaits.............

 
|
| n/a |
Posted - 29/09/2007 : 20:08:15 On the other hand we know the other passangers will have double benefit from it.
And recently I've seen a driver smoking at a petrol station, this really scare me. |
| Daveb |
Posted - 29/09/2007 : 19:22:21 "unless it is a ploy to increase car use before introducing congestion charging country wide"
By George FUBAR may be onto something! |
| FUBAR |
Posted - 29/09/2007 : 18:23:54 If I cannot carry any passengers because of distraction are the GOV about to ban taxis and buses as potential road hazards? And must we all travel alone in our cars from now on because that would make a mockery of their global warming strategy........unless it is a ploy to increase car use before introducing congestion charging country wide.........  |
| gcrkfrd |
Posted - 29/09/2007 : 04:48:53 Argue with him? That would be like shooting at a man that did'nt have a gun. FACT |
| Miriam Binder |
Posted - 28/09/2007 : 20:18:10 quote: Originally posted by long time no see
You are seem to want a battle.
I can not help you.
Life In The Fast Lane.
A battle? Far from it LTNS ... I would like you to stop your running amok on these forums with your FACT and EvilBushBlair and your deliberate misreading of posts and your refusal to accept any responsibility for what you post.
I don't need you to help me LTNS ... What I suggest is that you help yourself! |
| long time no see |
Posted - 28/09/2007 : 20:07:01 quote: Originally posted by Miriam Binder
You? View something like a bulldog? Sweetness about the only way you view something is through the eyes of a twit.
You are seem to want a battle.
I can not help you.
Life In The Fast Lane. |
| Miriam Binder |
Posted - 28/09/2007 : 19:59:15 quote: Originally posted by long time no see
as you know I view your posts like a Ruddy Bulldog. Now that may get a Smile from you.
You? View something like a bulldog? Sweetness about the only way you view something is through the eyes of a twit. |
| long time no see |
Posted - 28/09/2007 : 19:46:19 quote: Originally posted by Miriam Binder
I suppose it is no good quoting this at you later is it?
Miriam nobody cares what you Quote. And you can Quote all you like at me as you know I view your posts like a Ruddy Bulldog. Now that may get a Smile from you. |
| No Expert |
Posted - 28/09/2007 : 19:43:02 quote: Originally posted by long time no see
Yes Tombstone they were in Power when the Smoking Ban became Law, So freaking what. Who ever was in Power had to bring this Common Sense Law in.
New Labour, as well, are the worst ever power due to the Illegal Invasion of Iraq, of course
You are a Bad Loser Tombstone.
Arf! 'they were in Power when the Smoking Ban became Law' followed by 'So freaking what?'
Well lets see.. Labour passed the law, so...LABOUR PASSED THE LAW!!
Yes! Labour did it!!!
For someone who slags off politicians you don't half act like one. Just think, if things had turned out differently (Being born with intelligence, having the social skills to make friends, getting a GCSE etc) you could have been one! |
| Daveb |
Posted - 28/09/2007 : 19:39:15 People with hay fever should not be allowed to drive when the pollen count is high. Sneezing can be really bad. |
| nightowl |
Posted - 28/09/2007 : 19:33:55 Picking your nose while driving can be dangerous, dig deep enough and you damage your brain, ain't that right LT.... |
| Daveb |
Posted - 28/09/2007 : 19:19:47 I guess a satnav stuck to your windscreen is not a distraction? |
| Miriam Binder |
Posted - 28/09/2007 : 19:12:54 quote: Originally posted by long time no see
Probably is not Fact.
I suppose it is no good quoting this at you later is it? |
| long time no see |
Posted - 28/09/2007 : 19:10:11 Probably is not Fact.
Yes Good on the LibDems.
You keep going on, Tombstone.
The Hospital Bills for Smokers is paid by all of us.
Tombstone - One Bad Loser on the No Smoking Ban. FACT. |
| Tombstone Blues |
Posted - 28/09/2007 : 18:39:49 Actually, if there had been a tory government, there probably wouldn't have been a total ban - voted for by a majority of labour MP's. So it is a new labour creation.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/4709258.stm
'Prime Minister Tony Blair, Chancellor Gordon Brown and Home Secretary Charles Clarke all voted for a blanket ban.'
Whoever was in power (except the LibDems)would also have joined the americans in Iraq - so why go on at the present government about that? |
| long time no see |
Posted - 28/09/2007 : 17:43:12 Yes Tombstone they were in Power when the Smoking Ban became Law, So freaking what. Who ever was in Power had to bring this Common Sense Law in.
New Labour, as well, are the worst ever power due to the Illegal Invasion of Iraq, of course
You are a Bad Loser Tombstone. |
| No Expert |
Posted - 28/09/2007 : 17:37:34 *waits* |
| Tombstone Blues |
Posted - 28/09/2007 : 16:46:56 Ah but New labour brought it in here Go on, LTNS, don't be shy - admit that you agree with something they've done. |
| long time no see |
Posted - 28/09/2007 : 16:21:32 No Smoking is a Worldwide Campaign you are one bad loser Tombstone. |
| Tombstone Blues |
Posted - 28/09/2007 : 16:09:09 quote: Originally posted by long time no see
Srinking Rotten Smokers driving are a danger to us all. thank god for Lovely new Labour and their great smoking ban.
Sign Of The Times.
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| moon23 |
Posted - 28/09/2007 : 14:34:38 quote: Originally posted by camelot
Seems to me it depends on what they are smoking whilst driving
Yes crack is known to make people a little bit rash behind the wheel. |
| camelot |
Posted - 28/09/2007 : 14:15:40 Seems to me it depends on what they are smoking whilst driving |
| moon23 |
Posted - 28/09/2007 : 14:15:13 quote: Originally posted by long time no see
Srinking Rotten Smokers driving are a danger to us all.
Sign Of The Times.
Not focusing on the road and being distracted whilst driving is the problem. Focusing just on smoking misses the point as a Sandwhich, GPS, Screaming Kid, Map, Music, Radio, Prettty lady walking past could all cause distraction |
| long time no see |
Posted - 28/09/2007 : 14:10:35 Srinking Rotten Smokers driving are a danger to us all.
Sign Of The Times. |
| moon23 |
Posted - 28/09/2007 : 13:29:06 quote: Originally posted by Miriam Binder
In order to light up a cigarette you have to have one end in your mouth!

Ok so i'm being a pedant now....
 |
| Miriam Binder |
Posted - 28/09/2007 : 13:22:54 In order to light up a cigarette you have to have one end in your mouth!
 |
| moon23 |
Posted - 28/09/2007 : 13:18:27 quote: Originally posted by Miriam Binder
I have yet to see a driver that lights up with one hand and holds a cigarette in the other at the same time ... Maybe Fitzpatrick has discovered a new way of lighting up in which case new isn't better.
Oh come on, I always see people doing this on roundabouts.
Just a list of things which might distract you I guess, not really a health issue. |
| Miriam Binder |
Posted - 28/09/2007 : 13:02:20 I have yet to see a driver that lights up with one hand and holds a cigarette in the other at the same time ... Maybe Fitzpatrick has discovered a new way of lighting up in which case new isn't better. |