§ Mr. Arthur Lewisasked the Secretary of State for Transport whether he will introduce legislation to prevent drivers from smoking and eating whilst driving, as taking hands off the driving wheel to light and hold cigarettes and pipes and to unwrap sweets and feed themselves is dangerous and takes drivers' minds and actions off safe driving; and equally, whether he will prevent smoking by passengers in vehicles as the smoke causes difficulties for clear observation by the drivers of the vehicles.
§ Mrs. ChalkerNo. I have not seen any evidence which identifies smoking and eating in vehicles as a significant cause of accidents. If such actions by drivers did lead them to drive in a way which constituted a road safety hazard it would be possible for such a driver to be charged with the offence of driving without due care and attention, under present law.