One more step to prohibition.

[PopeTom]

From yahoo:

Bill Pushed to Stop Drivers From Smoking

Ashtrays have been disappearing in cars like fins on Cadillacs, and so could smoking while driving in New Jersey, under a measure introduced in the Legislature.

Assemblyman John McKeon, a tobacco opponent whose father died of emphysema, sponsored the legislation. He cites a AAA-sponsored study on driver distractions in which the automobile association found that of 32,000 accidents linked to distraction, 1 percent were related to smoking.

I located a AAA report on driving distractions here

Though it seems to quote a number of 284,000 distracted drivers, I'm unsure where the article gets 32,000 from. It also lists Smoking distractions at 0.9%

Other distractions include:

Adjusting radio/cassette/CD 11.4%
Other occupant 10.9%
Outside person, object, or event 29.4%

So i'd hope soon the lawmakers of New Jersy remove the distractions of radios, passangers, and being able to see things outside the vehicle, thus making out roads that much more safe.

-PopeTom

 

[webfusion]

what view?

I believe that the method to prevent viewing anything outside the vehicle is already in use --- it's called "tinting" and more and more cars have it. Although it is mainly used for preventing anyone seeing into the car, it's pretty hard to see clearly out these windows, as well, especially at night.

 

[Bikewer]

Of the many unsafe actions drivers indulge in, I would think that smoking rates pretty low.... I recall handling one accident where a fellow dropped a lit one into his lap.

One thing that does drive me a bit crazy is "mom", driving a closed car full of kids, and smoking like a fiend.

 

[Anti_Hypeman]

You will never see a smoking prohibition they need the tax money.

 

[clarsct]

Re: what view?

I believe that the method to prevent viewing anything outside the vehicle is already in use --- it's called "tinting" and more and more cars have it. Although it is mainly used for preventing anyone seeing into the car, it's pretty hard to see clearly out these windows, as well, especially at night.

Such windows are illegal in my state. Yes, people have been issued tickets.


Forget smoking..when the sam HELL will they outlaw cell phones while driving?

 

[SmooveK]

Re: Re: what view?

Forget smoking..when the sam HELL will they outlaw cell phones while driving?

It was done here last year, and accident rates dropped significantly.

 

[PopeTom]

Re: what view?

I believe that the method to prevent viewing anything outside the vehicle is already in use --- it's called "tinting" and more and more cars have it. Although it is mainly used for preventing anyone seeing into the car, it's pretty hard to see clearly out these windows, as well, especially at night.

As far as I am aware, in MA one can only tint their windows so much, and people can not tint the forward windshield at all. So, while I can see the outside distractions being limited, at least at night, they are not totally removed.

Come on government, protect me from myself, please.

-PopeTom

 

[PopeTom]

You will never see a smoking prohibition they need the tax money.

Where do you suppose they are headed with every little ban/restriction on smoking that seems to come along? Or do you think that smokers are just an easy target as of late?

Possibly government run smoking houses? Smokers pay a fee to get access to a government approved building so that their icky nasty habbit doesn't ruin the world for every one else?

I'm not a smoker, and I've found the general smoking ban in MA to be nice. Though from a more 'hey I don't stink at the end of a night out' way then a 'I'm sure glad my elected officials are looking out for my health and well being' way. I just think it's starting to get silly. Plus at some point some group who thinks they know what's best for everyone else will start pushing for a total ban.

-PopeTom

 

[Darat]

Of the many unsafe actions drivers indulge in, I would think that smoking rates pretty low.... I recall handling one accident where a fellow dropped a lit one into his lap.

One thing that does drive me a bit crazy is "mom", driving a closed car full of kids, and smoking like a fiend.

I would have thought smoking was very distracting? Getting a cigarette out of the packet, lighting it and then requiring it to be held - that sounds like a lot of "hands not on the controls and eyes not on the road" time.

 

[PopeTom]

I would have thought smoking was very distracting? Getting a cigarette out of the packet, lighting it and then requiring it to be held - that sounds like a lot of "hands not on the controls and eyes not on the road" time.

At least according to the AAA study smoking only accounts for 0.9% of distraction related accidents.

-PopeTom

 

[IllegalArgument]

I would have thought smoking was very distracting? Getting a cigarette out of the packet, lighting it and then requiring it to be held - that sounds like a lot of "hands not on the controls and eyes not on the road" time.

Cell phones are a much worse distraction than smoking. A lot of people at my work smoke, though I don't, lighting up is pretty much reflex for them.

Cell phones cause mental distraction, which is why hands free phone kits offer no real benefit.

Your would probably be more distracted changing the radio than lighting up.