Call to ban drivers smoking behind the wheel

Aron Thompson, Head of Car Insurance at independent online price comparison and switching service uSwitch.com, responds to the call by the Local Authority Road Safety Officers’ Association to ban drivers smoking behind the wheel.

“With the new smoking laws coming into affect on July 1st, which will ban smoking in public places, it is quite possible that more people will smoke in their vehicles to get around the ban. Whilst uSwitch.com fully supports any regulation that stops drivers from carrying out activities in their car that could distract their attention, these drivers could already be paying higher insurance premiums because they smoke.

“uSwitch.com is currently one of the few price comparison websites that asks drivers if they smoke as several insurance providers consider smoking to be a rating factor when it comes to pricing a motor insurance policy. Once the smoking ban is implemented, it will be interesting to see if more providers jump on the ‘higher premiums for smokers band wagon’.

“However, some consumers might argue where will it end? The introduction of a fine and points on your licence for using mobile phones whilst driving recently came into effect as it is difficult to argue that this isn’t a dangerous distraction - does the same apply to smoking? If so, should we also ban CD players in cars, hands-free mobile calls, satellite navigation systems – the list goes on.

“We would advise anyone, particularly smokers, that see an increase in the cost of their insurance renewal after the 1 July to find out why. It may be a reason totally unrelated to the fact that they do or do not smoke but consumers should keep a close eye on the cost of their insurance and always shop around for the best deal.”