MOTORISTS who use e-cigarettes while driving can find themselves in hot water with police if the clouds of vapour obscure their vision.
But even if you’re not surrounded by a cloud of vapour because you have a window open, is it still illegal to vape while driving?
Can you be fined for vaping while driving?
While vaping isn’t illegal, drivers who are distracted by e-cigarette smoke can be prosecuted for driving without due care and attention.
The vape clouds can produce a similar visual impairments to glare from the sun, which can often cause fatal accidents.
Police can hit you with a £100 on-the-spot fine and three penalty points if they believe the clouds of smoke impact your ability to drive safely.
And in more serious cases, or those contested in court, the charge can attract a maximum £5,000 fine, up to nine penalty points and even a court-imposed driving ban.
The practice can also impact your insurance if you’re involved in an accident.
Insurers aren’t likely to cover any damage or injuries sustained in a crash if your vision is impacted by a plume of smoke.
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Why is vaping while driving dangerous?
More than three million people in the UK use e-cigarettes, many of them while behind the wheel.
Nick Lloyd, head of road safety at Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents, said: “Distracted driving is a leading cause of road accidents in the UK.
“Any secondary activity which takes eyes off the road is potentially dangerous.
“As well as being a physical distraction, vaping while behind the wheel can create visibility problems if clouds of vapour are produced.
“Although it is not currently prohibited in law, drivers choosing to vape while on the road is a growing and concerning trend.
“If using an electronic cigarette whilst driving causes a motorist to become involved in a collision, then the activity could be considered careless driving – which is an offence.”
Are passengers allowed to vape?
The Children and Families Act 2015 made smoking in cars with children (defined as being under 18) an offence.
The rules don’t apply to e-cigarettes though.
So car passengers can vape, but it is worth remembering not to obscure the driver’s vision with the smoke and best to keep a window open.