no eating and drinking whilst driving? ( UK only )?

Question

now that eating and drinking whilst driving is to become a no no what about those drivers who smoke whilst driving with kids in the car become more of an issue !

Answer 1

I've not read anything about not drinking or eating whilst in the car. How on *earth* is that going to be enforcable? And won't the police have better things to do, like, ooh, chasing speeding cars? And what will the car companies do about their little drinks holders? And the motorway services would be devastated. I can't see that coming into force, sorry. Not in the UK - there's much better things to be spent worrying about.
As to the smokers - well, it's a filthy habit anyway, and the sooner the smoking ban comes into play in England and Wales, the better. It works a treat up here in Scotland.

Answer 2

But what about having an open taco in the car? What if someone else were eating in the car? Is there an "open container" part to this provision?

I understand the premise, that eating/drinking can be a distraction, but get real. Hopefully, enforcement will be based on some good judgment. If the officer sees someone driving badly and that is the only explanation, maybe, but otherwise, it seems pretty invasive. How about having children in a car? They could be far more distracting than sipping a soda through a straw. For some commuters, that is the only time they have for any nutritional intake. Is it a statute to frustrate people into using mass transit?

Answer 3

I've not heard that one either. However, technically I suppose you could get done for doing ANYTHING in the car that means you are not in full control of the vehicle and therefore driving inconsiderately or dangerously - causing danger to other road users.

I guess as the great British public seem to be unable to use their common sense, these NANNY state type rules/laws have to be brought in for our OWN GOOD?????

Seen some great clips of people crashing whilst changing radio stations/cds etc. And no doubt also whilst fumbling for the cigarette lighter or a sweet or a drink.

It's down to us really at the end of the day to prove we are grown up and sensible enough not to require our every movement to be monitored!

Answer 4

Eating, drinking, mobile phones - all dangerous whilst driving because you can't control the steering wheel properly and your thoughts are not concentrated on the road!
Smoking - even worse! if you don't cause a road accident then you have a chance to develop some horrific lung disease! Don't eat, drink , make phone calls whilst driving!

Don't smoke - EVER!

Answer 5

i agree you should not be eating or drinking while driving after all if your hand has food or drink in it and is at your mouth (same goes for smoking) how can you have full concentration on what you are doing or full control should you need to stop or take evasive action suddenly.

that said i dont see how it would actually work in practice it is already against the law to use a hand held mobile but i am always seeing people using mobile phones while driving

bty why mention smoking with kids in the car why not smoking full stop

Answer 6

Its just another stealth tax on the motorist. The governments public view is that they dont want you driving, yet secretly they make so much money off drivers that they are laughing all the way to the bank. More easy £60 fines coming up, thats how the government sees it. If only the Government spent more time discussing issues of grave importance, like immigration then the country would not be in the state it is today!

Answer 7

Eating/Drinking whilst driving has always been a no-no, comes under the category of failing to have proper control of a vehicle. You aren't prosecuted for eating/drinking, you're prosecuted for the above offence, or driving without due care, or careless driving or even dangerous driving. It would depend on the circumstances as to the severity of the charge, as it has always been.

Answer 8

I suppose eating and drinking while driving can be dangerous. As for smoking in a car with children in it....that should be a crime! If it happens repeatedly it could have an impact on the child's life expectancy. Smokers should only be allowed to smoke outside in the fresh air where their smoke can do know harm to others, or in their own homes (as long as there are no children or non smokers with them).

I've got nothing against smokers....As long as they just kill themselves and not others!!

Answer 9

The EU is proposing to introduce a ban on smoking when driving next year. As a smoker myself I actually agree with it. Most smokers who drive will have experienced at least one incident where they have dropped a cigarette. This causes an initial state of panic and you can envisage what the consequences might be at 70 miles an hour.

Answer 10

I agree...but also changing dvd's....fiddling about for sunglasses....where do you draw the line??

Thing is..some replies here don't have to deal with the aftermath...both hands should be on the steering wheel...and only taken off to change gear...or to apply the hand break. These things cause accidents!!

I see too many peeps driving whilst holding their mobiles....again this kind of behaviour causes accidents!

At the end of the day...we all end up paying for this kind of behaviour through our insurance premiums!