NEW LAW BANS SMOKING IN CARS WHEN UNDER I8’s ARE PASSENGERS plus: FREE ADVANCED DRIVING TESTS BY IAM
NEW LAW BANS SMOKING IN CARS WHEN UNDER I8’s ARE PASSENGERS
Bromley’s Public Protection team is advising residents that it will be illegal to smoke tobacco in a car or other vehicle with anyone under 18 present from 1 October 2015.
The law – which applies to both drivers and other passengers – is changing to protect children and young people from the dangers of second hand smoke.
“Second hand smoke is dangerous for anyone, but children are especially vulnerable, because they breathe more rapidly and have less developed airways, lungs and immune systems” said a Bromley council spokeswoman.
“Over 80 per cent of cigarette smoke is invisible and opening windows does not remove its harmful effect. “Every time a child breathes in second hand smoke, they breathe in thousands of chemicals.
“This puts them at risk of serious conditions including meningitis, cancer, bronchitis and pneumonia and it can also make asthma worse.
“Once the law comes into force in England and Wales, both the driver and the smoker could be fined £50. “It will include those aged 17 and those with a provisional driving licence, though not if the driver is 17 years old and is on their own in the car.
“Any private vehicle that is enclosed wholly or partly by a roof will be subject to the law. “It still applies if people have the windows or sunroof open, have the air conditioning on, or if they sit in the open doorway of the vehicle. “The law won’t apply to a convertible car with the roof completely down.
“Council officers and police are expected to enforce the law to protect young people from harm, handing out £50 penalty notice fines where applicable.”
Bromley’s executive member for public protection and safety Cllr Kate Lymer said: “This rule makes sense when you consider the risk to our young people of breathing in second hand smoke. .
“We hope that most people will sensibly choose to abide by this new law when it comes into operation this autumn. (Source: Bromley council press release)
FREE ADVANCED DRIVING TESTS BY IAM
In a major drive to improve the driving standards amongst motorists, the Institute of Advanced Motorists (IAM) is offering a free advanced driving taster session to any UK licence holder.
The campaign to receive an assessment of your driving standards has won the backing of someone who knows a thing or two about top quality driving – 1992 Formula 1 World Champion and IAM president Nigel Mansell CBE.
The campaign, called Love Driving, has just been launched by the IAM, the UK’s biggest independent road safety charity.
It takes the light-hearted approach that bad driving is a turn-off to someone of the opposite sex – not only can bad motoring habits cause an accident and injury at the worst; it can also put a damper on you meeting Mr or Ms Right!
The informal, 60-minute session will be carried out by a qualified assessor from the IAM and will take place in your own car. There are no special insurance requirements – you only need to hold a valid UK driving licence.
The taster sessions are part of the IAM’s ongoing goal to improve the riding and driving standards of road users and cut the numbers of those killed and seriously injured on our roads.
The IAM also wants motorists to derive more enjoyment from their driving, be less stressed and less prone to road-rage as a result of gaining those extra skills.
Nigel said: “Everyone can benefit from advice on how to drive better. The IAM is offering an amazing free opportunity to give every driver out there a chance to be a safer, more efficient motorist. Each and every one of us has a responsibility to look out for each other on the roads.
“Unlike Formula 1, driving on our roads is not a competition. Keep the racing for the track, and take a responsible attitude on the roads so you end your journey smiling, not scowling and your trips will become much more enjoyable and safer.”
The taster sessions, normally worth £39 a person, must be booked by 31 December this year.
To take advantage of the free sessions, which are available in England and Wales, please visit the webpage www.iam.org.uk/lovedriving (Source: IAM press release)
