Vaping while driving in winter could land you a £1,000 fine, police warn

Don’t let vaping land you with a fine

Drivers are being warned that vaping in the car in the winter could lead to a hefty fine. While it’s not illegal to vape while driving, there are rules to follow.

The law clearly states that anyone distracted when driving or unable to clearly see the road ahead could be committing an offence under Section 41D of the Road Traffic Act. This means that the same laws that could see drivers fined for windscreens obscured by snow during the winter can also be applied to those who find their view obstructed by vapour or who are distracted by their vape.

The risk to vapers is more likely in winter, when drivers are not likely to have their windows open. If drivers break these laws, they could be fined up to £1,000. Here are some tips for safe driving in winter if you vape.

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Tips for driving safely during the winter if you’re vaping

• Pick a Mouth To Lung vape: If vapour production is a cause for concern, it’s worth looking into getting a kit that creates a small amount of vapour with each inhale: an MTL (Mouth To Lung) vape kit is the standout choice. Alongside reduced vapour production, they’re also less likely to feature buttons and menu screens, cutting out the risk of distraction.

• Open the windows: If there’s still a risk of excess vapour production, a quick fix would be to open your windows. This might not seem like an attractive proposition in the colder months, but it could mean the difference between a fine and an uninterrupted journey.

• Keep your vape on hand: Taking your eyes off the road to look for your missing vape is a clear distraction, so always make sure that it’s within arm’s reach and ready to go.

• Take a break: It’s well-documented that taking a break on long trips is a good way to stay alert, while you’re stretching your legs take a couple of minutes to have a vape too. Only ever take breaks in designated rest areas.

Sergeant Carl Knapp, a member of the Sussex Road Policing Unit, said: “The smoke caused by vapes are a distraction and the consequences of them can be dire, all it takes is a moment to become distracted and potentially cause a crash and even worse, a fatality. I strongly advise people to pay 100 per cent attention to the roads when driving as anything that takes that attention away has the potential of severe consequences.”

* An AI tool was used to add an extra layer to the editing process for this story.