Women's car insurance news
22/10/2007

Online car insurance company studies smoking habits

Research from an online cheap car insurance company has found that men are more likely to smoke at the wheel than women.

The study carried out by esure investigated how smokers behave whilst driving in light of recent changes to the Highway Code, which mean that smoking at the wheel can be classed as an offence.

The UK car insurance provider showed that 80% of smoking motorists drive without any hands on the wheel whilst lighting up; a figure which rose to 100% when London drivers were quizzed. Further, almost half (46%) of the smokers who took part in the research admitted that they had dropped a cigarette in the car at some point.

Even despite these obvious risks, esure found that there are still a huge number of motorists who do not want to see smoking whilst driving banned. It discovered that there was a 53/47 divide in opinion over the subject, with those with pro-smoking ban views making up the majority.

The research showed that men are more in favour of keeping smoking at the wheel legal and ladies are much less likely to risk their cheap car insurance by rolling a cigarette or taking their hands off the steering wheel to light up whilst driving.

A spokesperson for the online car insurance company said: "The debate over in-car smoking has the nation polarised with arguments both for and against a ban. However, our study reveals a raft of behaviours that not only go against the new rulings, but could have dangerous consequences.

"At esure, driver safety is our top priority and so the risky habits carried out by some smokers are a cause for concern. We advise drivers to always pay the road their full attention. Any activities that distract or cause a driver to lose concentration or take their hands off the wheel should be avoided."