My neighbour is up in arms about this saying that 'they should let me smoke as I get irritable if I can't have a fag'! I have been in the car with her when she smokes and quite honestly she cannot control the car properly when she lights up. Why are (some) smokers so inconsiderate?
I don't take my eyes off the road to talk to passengers, Funk.
Why should anybody need to do that?
And passengers are aware of drivers hazards, unlike talking on a mobile phone where the other person can't see you are navigating a huge island with an idiot lorry driver behind you and a fool of a motorcyclist trying to get in front of you.
Arguing in a car is just plain stupid. But I have known many drivers manage to work themselves in to a rage whilst they are in the car by themselves - shouting and yelling at other drivers.
Some people just don't have the temperament for driving.
niknak, i was a smoker for 20 years but i gave up! and i can actually drive a car, i just have never took a test so now i will tell you, my opinion is every bit as valid as yours. like jiggy says, you do not have to commit a murder to form an opinion on that! dont be so silly!
I think Gromits answer says it all, really.
A car is a dangerous machine and the driver has a responsibility to have full control of it at all times. The arguments about the nature of any distraction are a little redundant; none is better than any others.
I think the thrust of the article has been placed on smoking as smokers seem to be under the cosh at the moment.
Im a smoker, its no hardship to stop every hour or half hour or whatever to get out and have a fag, is it?
The whole not looking for the ashtray business means nothing. I cant see my arse but I can still touch whilst looking ahead.
Its hardly an infringement on rights, just stop the car and have a fag. I smoke quite a lot and I can sit through a 3 hour film without needing to go for a fag. How many people make 3 hour journeys without taking break?
BTW ITS NOW IN THE HIGHWAY CODE .
SO BEWARE.
OH AND TRY ARGUING WITH A DRIVING EXAMINER ON THE FAG THING.
INSTANT FAIL ID GUESS
"Drivers could be prosecuted for smoking at the wheel, according to a warning in the latest version of the Highway Code." http://news.sky.com/skynews/uknews