A topic rarely discussed but definitely problematic is that of smoking (cigarettes, cigars, or pipes) while driving. This habit is so common that even when people discuss distracted driving they often fail to include it in this category - but indeed smoking and driving is one of the worst distractions behind the wheel of a car.
If you are familiar with the act of smoking then you are aware that it includes all of the following steps:
*Finding the pack of cigarettes and retrieving one from the pack.
*Putting the filter end in your mouth and pushing the lighter button on the dashboard or finding a lighter.
*Inhaling, exhaling and flicking the ashes.
*Discarding the cigarette or putting the cigarette out in an ashtray.
IT may take up to five minutes to complete the process of smoking a cigarette from beginning to end. Five minutes that are chocked full of activities that have nothing to do with keeping a car safely on the road.
Municipalities are slow to recognize the problem - but it is making the rounds of certain legislatures (New Jersey for one) across the country who are considering a ban on smoking and driving. Civil liberties aside - a distraction is a distraction.
Many smokers will be upset at reading this post and to them i say- what if your family was harmed due to an accident caused by a smoking distraction?
Greg Baumgartner is a Texas wrongful death lawyer and the founder of the Baumgartner law firm, which is dedicated to helping personal injury victims seek civil justice. If you would like to speak with a Houston 18 wheeler accident attorney call the Baumgartner firm.
