Tuesday May 3, 12:30 PM
BERLIN (
Reuters) - Several German lawmakers want to ban smoking while driving, saying it's hazardous.
"The dangers of causing an accident rise drastically when you smoke and drive," said Peter Danckert of the ruling Social Democrats. "I want a complete ban on smoking for drivers."
Danckert and Katherina Reiche of the opposition Christian Democrats told Germany's best-selling newspaper, Bild, they will push for legislation to outlaw smoking for drivers.
Reiche noted parliament had passed a law outlawing the use of cell phones for drivers.
"Cigarettes are just as much of a distraction as cell phones," she said. "We need a new law banning it with fines."
German motoring club ADAC spokesman Rainer Hillgaertner dismissed the idea, saying:
"Eating chocolate bars, bananas or fish sandwiches while driving is also dangerous."
