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Well other countries are looking at banning driving distractions, such as smoking....
Pressure to ban smoking behind the wheel is gaining momentum world-wide. And a ban on eating while you're driving's also on the menu.
Light up a cigarette while you’re driving in Scotland and you'll soon risk a $150 fine. And similar legislation can’t be far off here.
Scotland’s £60 ($A149) on-the-spot fine is about the same as that for using a mobile phone while you’re driving.
The legislation is slated to become part of Scotland’s Highway Code later this year.
Pro-smokers say they’re being victimised. Transport officials say they have no choice, and that lighting cigarettes behind the wheel kills and injures hundreds of people each year.
Brazil’s already banned smoking in cars, Germany’s pushing to do the same. Politicians in Nicosia want a ban … and a $1500 fine to go with it. Even lawmakers in New Jersey, US want a ban and a $US250 ($A330) fine for anyone caught lighting up.
Here, pressure is mounting for politicians to weigh in with a similar smoking ban, together with bans on eating, drinking and other driving distractions.
Scottish police already have fined one woman £200 ($A450) for doing her make-up while driving. A man was fined £60 ($A150) because he was seen eating an apple while driving.
Recent research from Spain says smokers are twice as likely to be involved in car crashes as non-smokers. Closer to home, Monash University’s Accident Research Centre, in Melbourne reviewed studies on smoking and car safety, and published its findings in late 2003.
The review concluded that, “… it is clear that smoking while driving is a hazard”.
In NSW, health minister John Hatzistergos recently opened the debate by placing the emphasis on the effects of passive smoking on children travelling in cars.
“Most adults are responsible when it comes to their child’s health but the few who smoke with children in the car are placing their child at considerable risk from passive smoking,” he said.
“The World Health Organisation says children are particularly at risk from second-hand smoke because they are still developing and have higher breathing rates than adults.”
South Australian Democrats MLC Sandra Kanck recently said cigarette smoking while driving should be made illegal, especially when children are in the car. She said she believed it should be in the same category as using a mobile phone while driving.
"If using mobile phones is illegal, so should cigarette smoking in cars because of its capacity to distract drivers," Ms Kanck said.
"Laws to prevent cigarette smoking while driving will have benefits to passengers, especially children, and for road safety in general as a consequence of giving their full attention to driving."
Back in NSW, MLC and leader of the Christian Democratic Party, the Reverend Fred Nile is right behind a ban.
“Government has a duty of care to protect the health and lives of the community,” he said. “It has taken steps to prohibit heavy drinking, the refusal to wear seat belts, the use of mobile phones and even the level of music played whilst driving. I fail to see why any Government would be reluctant to adopt a similar approach with regards to the dangers of smoking in vehicles.”
Well other countries are looking at banning driving distractions, such as smoking....
Pressure to ban smoking behind the wheel is gaining momentum world-wide. And a ban on eating while you're driving's also on the menu.
Light up a cigarette while you’re driving in Scotland and you'll soon risk a $150 fine. And similar legislation can’t be far off here.
Scotland’s £60 ($A149) on-the-spot fine is about the same as that for using a mobile phone while you’re driving.
The legislation is slated to become part of Scotland’s Highway Code later this year.
Pro-smokers say they’re being victimised. Transport officials say they have no choice, and that lighting cigarettes behind the wheel kills and injures hundreds of people each year.
Brazil’s already banned smoking in cars, Germany’s pushing to do the same. Politicians in Nicosia want a ban … and a $1500 fine to go with it. Even lawmakers in New Jersey, US want a ban and a $US250 ($A330) fine for anyone caught lighting up.
Here, pressure is mounting for politicians to weigh in with a similar smoking ban, together with bans on eating, drinking and other driving distractions.
Scottish police already have fined one woman £200 ($A450) for doing her make-up while driving. A man was fined £60 ($A150) because he was seen eating an apple while driving.
Recent research from Spain says smokers are twice as likely to be involved in car crashes as non-smokers. Closer to home, Monash University’s Accident Research Centre, in Melbourne reviewed studies on smoking and car safety, and published its findings in late 2003.
The review concluded that, “… it is clear that smoking while driving is a hazard”.
In NSW, health minister John Hatzistergos recently opened the debate by placing the emphasis on the effects of passive smoking on children travelling in cars.
“Most adults are responsible when it comes to their child’s health but the few who smoke with children in the car are placing their child at considerable risk from passive smoking,” he said.
“The World Health Organisation says children are particularly at risk from second-hand smoke because they are still developing and have higher breathing rates than adults.”
South Australian Democrats MLC Sandra Kanck recently said cigarette smoking while driving should be made illegal, especially when children are in the car. She said she believed it should be in the same category as using a mobile phone while driving.
"If using mobile phones is illegal, so should cigarette smoking in cars because of its capacity to distract drivers," Ms Kanck said.
"Laws to prevent cigarette smoking while driving will have benefits to passengers, especially children, and for road safety in general as a consequence of giving their full attention to driving."
Back in NSW, MLC and leader of the Christian Democratic Party, the Reverend Fred Nile is right behind a ban.
“Government has a duty of care to protect the health and lives of the community,” he said. “It has taken steps to prohibit heavy drinking, the refusal to wear seat belts, the use of mobile phones and even the level of music played whilst driving. I fail to see why any Government would be reluctant to adopt a similar approach with regards to the dangers of smoking in vehicles.”
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