Although over 3 million UK motorists have had accidents, ‘near misses’ or lapses in concentration as a result of in-car smoking distractions.
A staggering 45 % of motorists who smoke questioned in a study by esure car insurance will ignore the new rules set out in the revised Highway Code and continue to light-up behind the wheel.
According to the new Highway Code, smoking in the car is an action police may deem as ‘not allowing proper control of a car’.
Research by esure unveils a raft of potentially dangerous behaviours related to in-car smoking with top of the list a massive 80 % of motorists admit to taking their hands off the wheel in order to light a cigarette. Well how else are they going to light up?
Despite travelling at high speeds, 75 % of motorists think smoking whilst driving on a motorway is acceptable and poses no risks, 46 % of people have accidentally dropped their cigarette in the car but worryingly, 26% have taken their eyes off the road in order to retrieve it.
Oops.45% admit to disposing of their cigarette butt by throwing it out of the car, which is potentially dangerous if the cigarette is not properly extinguished and 88% of smokers admit that they are more likely to light up in the car when they are feeling stressed.
Well is it not better to do this and let the nicotine take effect then get more and more wound up possible leading to a road rage attack or worse.
What ever happened to freedom of choice in this country?
FemaleFirst - Jackie Violet