Police have warned road-users that they may be prosecuted if caught vaping whilst driving and they could even lose their license.
Vaping whilst driving isn’t actually illegal but police are now saying that e-cigarettes can distract drivers due to the smoke building up inside the car, to the point of potentially causing a serious accident. They have reiterated that drivers must be in full and proper control of their vehicle at all times.
Sergeant John Davis, of Surrey Police, has even said that anyone distracted sufficiently in any way – “whether it be smoking, vaping or eating” – could be guilty of an offence.
This means that anyone caught vaping unsafely could face penalties which include a ban from the road, points on their license, or a fine of up to £2,500.
Road safety charity Brake are in support of the move, stating that: “Vaping while driving increases your risk of crashing, causing visual disruption and physical and mental distraction. 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.”
Sergeant Karl Knapp of the Sussexs Roads Policing Unit has advised that: “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.
“The smoke caused by vapes are a distraction and the consequences of them can be dire, all it takes is a moment to become distracted and potentially cause a crash and even worse, a fatality.”
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