Police target motorists who smoke

• Police 'on look-out' for drivers who smoke
• £60 on-the-spot fine; other charges possible
• Smoking called 'distraction' in new Highway Code

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Police are targeting motorists who smoke while driving to try to reduce accidents.

The acting deputy chief constable of Merseyside Police, Bernard Lawson, has told his officers that they will be expected to be 'on the look-out' for drivers who smoke.

Smoking is now mentioned in the recently revised version of the Highway Code as a dangerous distraction.

It is up to the discretion of police officers how the reference is implemented, according to the Department for Transport (DfT), but consequences could be serious.

A £60 on-the-spot fine is possible if motorists are caught, but if the driver was deemed to be not in proper control of his car, he could face prosecution for driving without due care and attention of for failing to control his vehicle.

The reference in the Highway Code was added after evidence showed that smoking at the wheel had contributed to crashes, the DfT said.