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Smoking and driving
Former Member
Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
OK, maybe all of us don't agree that it should be a criminal offence to use a mobile phone while driving. I don't really see the difference between this and smoking though. A smoker has to light a fag and put it out as well as smoking it, all instances requiring the drivers attention on the cig and not the road.
Surely if talking on a mobile phone is wrong, then smoking while driving should be a criminal offence also, don't you think?
Surely if talking on a mobile phone is wrong, then smoking while driving should be a criminal offence also, don't you think?
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It is also a well known fact that a telephone conversation can be a very distracting factor. The combination of this and having only one hand available for driving make the practice highly dangerous.
Smoking only involves having your hand away for a few seconds. If we were to ban this on the basis that any distraction is too long and unacceptable, then we might as well ban manual cars with ordinary gear shifts, since they require taking your hand off the wheel.
Scratching your face, touching any of the car controls, opening a window, closing a ventilation or operating the radio would also have to be made illegal.
Fair point
Yes.
But I know what you mean, that's a really dangerous (and potentially painful) situation.
I smoke while I drive sometimes, I can definitely see why people would consider it dangerous but it's never hindered me. I tend to have the window down, too, so if I ever got into a precarious situation I'd just chuck the tab out and sort it. I also eat while I drive on occasion, what's the opinion on that then? On a tangent, cigarette lighters in the car are a godsend, much more simple than faffing about with matches or a lighter.
Just to be topical...what we should be discussing is the woman who was caught putting her make up on with both hands while "driving". Daft [not to mention irresponsible] cow. :yeees:
If they did that in the USA... would anyone notice?
But good point there. Smoking is hardly an engaging conversation, is it?
Smoking is a risk, so is changing CDs, volume etc on the stereo. So is changing gears (which has already been mentioned). But hey, what's life without a little risk?
If they're so serious about drivers keeping their attention 100% on the road, why don't they try and ban billboards and other roadside advertisements aimed at drivers?
In fairness the fine was rather strict- the woman had just started moving was doing about 15mph in slow traffic- but you should not drink or eat at the wheel if the car is moving. We all do it to a degree of course, and having a sip of water while crawling is not quite the same as eating a cornish pasty at 70mph on the motorway.
For a start most people are in a trance while they drive, so the whole notion of not paying enough attention is bollocks. 90% of drivers are not even properly conscious, and a good thing it is too.