Common habit could land some drivers with a £5,000 fine

The law states that if you end up in an accident after doing this, you risk a hefty fine, penalty points and even a court-imposed driving ban.

Drivers with a common habit have been warned they could face a £5,000 fine. British motorists who vape in their cars could be fined as Christmas approaches and temperatures drop.

Markus Lindblad, of tobacco-free nicotine alternatives retailer Northerner, has urged Brits to avoid vaping in their cars. He said: “When the weather is colder, you might be tempted to vape in the car instead of standing outside in the cold. »

Previously shedding light on the legality of vaping while driving, he said: “When the rules were implemented, vapes didn’t exist, so even though the rules don’t specifically state that it’s illegal to vape in the car, they stipulate that whatever it is. that appears to restrict the driver’s view, such as clouds of smoke, may be subject to sanctions.”

And warning drivers of the risks, he said: “If you are driving and the police notice you are vaping, you could be fined up to £100 on the spot. However, depending on the severity of the matter, if you’re caught vaping and end up in an accident, you could face a fine of up to £5,000, nine penalty points and even a driving ban imposed by the court.

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As for whether passengers can vape, he added: “There is no law prohibiting passengers from vaping in the car. However, they must first ask the driver’s permission so that they can assess the situation and prevent it from affecting their visibility. in any way. Anyone vaping in the car is probably advised to ensure that the driver’s visibility is not affected by smoke clouds and that the windows can also be opened.

The AA stressed the importance of avoiding distractions such as smoking while driving, referring to Rule 148 of the Highway Code. The AA further explained that in England company vehicles must be non-smoking if they transport members of the public or employees, and that in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland it is It is illegal to smoke in any work vehicle, unless it is a personal car.

Additionally, the AA mentioned that the Children and Families Act 2015 prohibited smoking in cars in the presence of children, but clarified that these rules do not extend to e-cigarettes. They also noted that failure to prevent smoking in a smoke-free private vehicle in England and Wales could result in a fixed fine of £50.