New Laws on Smoking In Vehicles
As of tomorrow (01/07/2010), there will be significant changes made to the laws regarding smoking in vehicles, which will require many company vehicles to be smoke-free at all times.
The smoke-free law will apply to vehicles that are used to transport members of the public or used by more than one person, not necessarily at the same time. This is not the case, however, when the vehicle has the roof completely removed. Smoke-free vehicles must also display no-smoking signs no smaller than 70mm in diameter in every compartment in which people are carried.
Of course, private vehicles are not required by law to be smoke-free. Even so, drivers should be aware that, although it is not an offence to smoke whilst driving, doing so will greatly increase the chance of being charged with careless driving, should an accident occur. In severe cases, smoking can be linked to dangerous driving, which can lead to imprisonment. The same is true for the use of a hands-free phone.
