disrespect for the law

[Silver_Shiney]

Firstly, please can we NOT let this descend into a debate/argument about the perceived rights and wrongs of burning tobacco?

It's been announced today that, from October, it will be illegal to smoke in a car where children under the age of 18 are present.

Given that it is illegal to use a mobile phone whilst driving, which is widely ignored, how are Her Majesty's Finest supposed to enforce this latest legislation?

[Dark Knight]

SS
before it all kicks off
just a small point, the point of this law is due to the inherent issues of tobacco smoke etc
I doubt you can separate one from the other

As far as implementing this law, if it is as effective as the mobile phone law, it will make naff all difference to the same irresponsible morons, who phone , text and google stuff , whilst driving, so why stop smoking
more PC nonsense pandering to the limp wristed liberals and the nanny state

[Silver_Shiney]

Exactly, DK, which is why I wonder why the politicos wasted time bringing the law in in the first place.

[Dark Knight]

a vote winner before the election

[Silver_Shiney]

a vote winner before the election

are they really that stupid that they think we'd fall for that?

[Dark Knight]

some people will
the anti smoking lobby does have a loud voice and it is just the type of thing that middle England love

[Silver_Shiney]

It's easier to conceal a fag in the car than it is a mobile phone. As they can't (won't?) enforce the phone ban, this latest one seems especially pointless. Also, some expert has said that, even with the windows open, the smoke stays in the car for some considerable time. So, mummy legally puffs away on her way to school to pick up her little darling(s), and obeys this nonsense on the way home - yet the smoke the legislation is trying to stop affecting the child is still there!

And don't get me started on cyclists ignoring red lights!

[suespud]

My parents were both heavy smokers and both smoked in the car ( as well as in the house)while my brother and me were in it.(more than 50 years ago)
We used to go on long drives....most weekends to see relatives.
My parents are both dead now. Cancer killed them.

I'm scared.

So whilst there might be no way to enforce this ban in cars , and it may be totally political, but maybe, just maybe, it might make some people think about not putting their children at risk.

[david63]

So whilst there might be no way to enforce this ban in cars , and it may be totally political, but maybe, just maybe, it might make some people think about not putting their children at risk.

Much as we would all probably agree with those sentiments I doubt that it will happen.

The majority of parents that understand the risks probably do not smoke in the car, or anywhere else around children, now and those that do not appreciate the risks will not change. I know that is a generalisation and that there will, hopefully, be some exceptions.

[Silver_Shiney]

I wonder how many of those parents who don't smoke around children don't realise how long the smoke stays in the car - I certainly didn't know that.

But in what other ways is the law flouted?

Smoking at bus stops
Using a mobile phone whilst driving
Having fog lights on in clear weather (some using the excuse that they are "day running lights")
Driving in middle/outer lanes when not overtaking
Cycling on a pavement
Going through red lights
Ignoring speed limits
Driving uninsured and/or untaxed
Not buying a TV licence
Not paying due taxes

The list could certainly be added to. And what happens to the culprits if they get caught? Usually the equivalent of "that wasn't nice, please don't do it again". I firmly believe that if harsher penalties were imposed and enforced, it would deter many (I realise there are always going to be some who won't be deterred whatever - but, again, I think this is symptomatic of today's "screw you" attitude that is so prevalent in society)

[HK phooey]

Firstly, smoking whilst driving should be illegal anyway, as should eating, although you are less likely to burn your privates dropping a ham sandwich. Secondly, those people that would smoke in the confines of a car when children are present will also smoke in a house where children are present, so if it's a child protection issue it's a drop in the ocean.

[Keechy]

Nobody's mentioned that it's actually illegal to LIGHT a cigarette while driving. The chances are that anyone smoking while driving on a motorway lit up at some point unless a) they pulled in to a service area or b) someone lit it for them. And if it's a company vehicle, that's illegal too as it's classed as a workplace.

[Stephen]

Firstly, please can we NOT let this descend into a debate/argument about the perceived rights and wrongs of burning tobacco?

It's been announced today that, from October, it will be illegal to smoke in a car where children under the age of 18 are present.

Given that it is illegal to use a mobile phone whilst driving, which is widely ignored, how are Her Majesty's Finest supposed to enforce this latest legislation?

Not a hope in hell.

[Mervyn and Trish]

I agree with the principle of banning smoking anywhere near children, but also agree with the fact that this is another law which is pretty much unenforceable. And there seems to me to be no point in passing a law if you can't enforce it. There are plenty of existing traffic laws which are blatantly flouted without adding another.

[Manoverboard]

For me smoking should be totally banned in moving vehicles ....

Re ..

" Having fog lights on in clear weather (some using the excuse that they are "day running lights")

In response I would wish to advise that the use of fog lights on a clear night on the single track roads in rural Darzet is a very good idea and could even be a life saver ... not in the day time however.

[Silver_Shiney]

For me smoking should be totally banned in moving vehicles ....

I know from experience it is impossible to properly control a car with a cigarette on the go.

I didn't know it was illegal to light one whilst driving!

[Keechy]

For me smoking should be totally banned in moving vehicles ....

I know from experience it is impossible to properly control a car with a cigarette on the go.

I didn't know it was illegal to light one whilst driving!

I stopped smoking in 2011 but I distinctly remember being annoyed before at having to pull into a service area to light up after it was introduced. However, I've trawled the web and I can't find any direct reference to it so I could be wrong. The only thing I found was that it could be construed as careless driving if it proved to be a contributing factor in an accident.

I did find this which suggests it's being considered http://www.theguardian.com/money/2013/m ... g-increase

[Marie Lloyd]

"Driving in middle/outer lanes when not overtaking"

Don't understand this one. If the traffic in the inside lane is travelling at the maximum permitted speed, e.g. 70 m.p.h., it is impossible to overtake without breaking the speed limit so all traffic would have to drive in the inside lane leaving 2, 3 or more lanes empty. Seems to me to be a recipe for congestion and tripling of journey times.

[Silver_Shiney]

"Driving in middle/outer lanes when not overtaking"

Don't understand this one. If the traffic in the inside lane is travelling at the maximum permitted speed, e.g. 70 m.p.h., it is impossible to overtake without breaking the speed limit so all traffic would have to drive in the inside lane leaving 2, 3 or more lanes empty. Seems to me to be a recipe for congestion and tripling of journey times.

There will always be those who drive a little below the speed limit, to conserve fuel. That's why there are overtaking lanes. If everyone in the inside lane is doing 70, there clearly isn't any congestion and journey times won't be affected.

[gfwgfw]

Witnessed three school girls smoking whilst awaiting my bus at the bus station, th PA frequently reminds passengers that the station has a "NO SMOKING" policy

Must say I was not bothered too much

[Onelife]

Firstly, please can we NOT let this descend into a debate/argument about the perceived rights and wrongs of burning tobacco?

It's been announced today that, from October, it will be illegal to smoke in a car where children under the age of 18 are present.

Given that it is illegal to use a mobile phone whilst driving, which is widely ignored, how are Her Majesty's Finest supposed to enforce this latest legislation?

...................

HI Mr Shiny....l'm not sure l would agree with you that the ilegal use of mobile phones whilst driving is widely ignored.

Yes, it still happens, but the threat of prosecution seems to have proved a good deterrent in reducing the use of such distractions. I think it a fair assumption that the same deterrent will apply when the smoking ban is introduced.

Regards

Keith

[ItsmeAnnC]

I'm much more concerned about riding bicycles on pavements. My heavily pregnant daughter was recently knocked to the ground by a cyclist as she stepped out of a shop door. He was going so fast she does not remember how she fell, and the bike was on top of her. She had bruised ribs and it was a week before she was able to lift her arm above her head. Luckily there was a doctor who witnessed it and was on hand to examine her. She has to travel 25 miles to the nearest high risk maternity unit for her and baby to be checked out. Luckily no harm to baby. Needless to say the police were not interested. Apparently no crime had been committed.

[Silver_Shiney]

You may have seen a post I submitted recently, Ann, where I reported that a cyclist crashed into a pedestrian at Bristol Uni and smashed both the kid's legs. The cyclist cleared off scot-free. I wonder if it's the fool who, last week, bashed into my SIL, knocking his phone out of his hand and smashing the screen. Major inconvenience to my SIL, but nothing compared to the severe injuries caused to the other lad.

I do hope your daughter recovers quickly and fully. It must have been a terrible experience for her, and a worry at this stage of her pregnancy. All good wishes to her.

[Mervyn and Trish]

"Driving in middle/outer lanes when not overtaking"

Don't understand this one. If the traffic in the inside lane is travelling at the maximum permitted speed, e.g. 70 m.p.h., it is impossible to overtake without breaking the speed limit so all traffic would have to drive in the inside lane leaving 2, 3 or more lanes empty. Seems to me to be a recipe for congestion and tripling of journey times.

I don't think there is any problem driving in any lane when the road is busy and all traffic moving at much the same speed, or indeed staying out to pass a vehicle which one is fast approaching.

The problem with lane hoggers is when they stay in the middle/outer lane when the inner lane(s) is free, often for miles ahead.

[Silver_Shiney]

"Driving in middle/outer lanes when not overtaking"

Don't understand this one. If the traffic in the inside lane is travelling at the maximum permitted speed, e.g. 70 m.p.h., it is impossible to overtake without breaking the speed limit so all traffic would have to drive in the inside lane leaving 2, 3 or more lanes empty. Seems to me to be a recipe for congestion and tripling of journey times.

I don't think there is any problem driving in any lane when the road is busy and all traffic moving at much the same speed, or indeed staying out to pass a vehicle which one is fast approaching.

The problem with lane hoggers is when they stay in the middle/outer lane when the inner lane(s) is free, often for miles ahead.

hence the qualifier "when not overtaking"