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Vaping While You Drive Can Now Land You A Hefty Fine

Deborah Cicurel

Published 
| Last updated 

Vaping While You Drive Can Now Land You A Hefty Fine

Featured Image Credit: Pixabay

If you enjoy vaping, be warned: if you smoke an e-cigarette and drive, you risk landing a £2,500 fine, penalty points and a ban.

Vaping
Vaping

While vaping while driving isn't in itself an illegal act, police have now warned that if you are found to be distracted by your e-cigarette you could face the hefty fine, punishments and even prosecution.

You can also be charged if you're seen to be distracted by anything else; whether that's eating, drinking or using your mobile phone.

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However, vaping is thought to be particularly distracting as e-cigarettes produce a large amount of vapour which could cause the driver's vision to be obstructed and could lead to accidents.

While it is illegal to smoke in a car with anyone under 18 in attendance, with both the driver and the smoker facing fines of up to £50, that particular law does not apply to e-cigarettes.

Credit: Clive Gee/PA Archive/PA Images
Credit: Clive Gee/PA Archive/PA Images

The topic has been discussed previously, with Sergeant Carl Knapp from the Sussex Road Policing Unit warning that vaping at the wheel could "cause a crash".

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"The smoke caused by vapes are a distraction and the consequences of them can be dire," he said. "All it takes is a moment to become distracted and potentially cause a crash and even worse, a fatality.


"I strongly advise people to pay 100 per cent attention to the roads when driving as anything that takes that attention away has the potential of severe consequences.

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"If you are going to vape I advise that you open your windows and blow the vapour directly out, just ensure that you are in full control of your vehicle before doing so."

Road safety charity Brake has also urged drivers not to be tempted to vape while driving, reiterating the dangers of distraction at the wheel.

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"Vaping while driving increases your risk of crashing, causing visual disruption and physical and mental distraction," the charity said in a statement.

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"Attempting any type of activity that takes your eyes off the road increases your chances of causing a crash, and killing or seriously injuring someone."

Topics: Life News

Deborah Cicurel
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