New Highway code out soon...

[m4ttm4son]

Who's got their copy reserved on amazon?

Couple of new things added, including smoking behind the wheel.

However, it's not definite - We don't need MORE grey areas;

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Smoking drivers would be charged if it is thought they were driving without due care and attention.

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[cruiser647]

All drivers need to be cocooned from the passenger sections of their cars.

They need to get into the car, and do absolutely nothing apart from concentrating on driving. No music, no eating, no talking, no smoking, no 'shenanghans' no nothing.

Driver 'aids' will monitor any movement of the driver other than for normal driving. Any other movements will result in punishment.

By order of the Nanny State.

Please note that these new rules do not affect your statutory or human rights in any way.

Signed - The Driving Czar

[Mook]

You also need to remember that changing gear whilst driving is dangerous.

And indicating.

And steering, come to mention it...

[v6tas]

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You also need to remember that changing gear whilst driving is dangerous.

And indicating.

And steering, come to mention it...

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Checking the rear view mirror also takes your eyes of the road so must be deemed dangerous and therefore be banned. I also sneezed yesterday whilst doing 70 and involuntarily closed my eyes, i must remember to turn my self in for dangerous driving

[garcon magnifique]

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Smoking drivers would be charged if it is thought they were driving without due care and attention.

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I can't be arsed going and reading the relevant new section(s). So with that in mind, I don't understand what has changed, apart from possible a line to say you shouldn't smoke while driving. Current laws would already allow prosecution for driving w/o due care & attention due to smoking behind the wheel ... or any other reason for that matter - the key element is that the arresting officer must have due cause to consider that the vehicle was being driven w/o due care... doesn't matter what the reason for that is.

(Did that make any sense?)

Anyway, an old work mate of mine could confirm that smoking behind the wheel can be dangerous and can lead to some rather, er, hair-rising driving... especially if you throw a lit cigarette out of your window and it comes straight back in the rear window and sets your hair alight...

[RedRobin]

....

Or you pull out the hot nub end of your fag and it falls burning in your lap! As Billy Connolly demonstrated in his big yellow Land Rover.

[CarMad]

As Garcon pointed out, you could get done for smoking already but they have listed it to make that totally clear. People have been done for drinking at the wheel and eating an apple in the past so I really do see a problem with the updated.

[RedRobin]

A friend of mine was banned for 6 months when he was parked just sitting in his car (with the engine off) with a can of beer. Early morning after he had played a gig. He was breathalysed though, but not witnessed driving.

I see too many mum's dashing on the school run, ignoring the 30 limit and with a fag in hand and clearly not in full control or even fully focussed on their driving. For them, I say "book 'em!"