Germany to Ban Smoking While Driving?

"The dangers of causing an accident rise drastically when you smoke and drive," Peter Danckert of the Social Democrats (SPD) told the best-selling newspaper Bild. "I want a complete ban on smoking for drivers."

Danckert was joined in his push for smoke-free driving by several politicians on the other side of the political spectrum. Katherina Reiche of the opposition Christian Democrats (CDU) also told Bild she wanted to put an end to puffing behind the wheel. She noted that parliament had already passed a law outlawing the use of cell phones for drivers, and that she and others want to push for similar legislation regarding mobile phones.

"Cigarettes are just as much of a distraction as cell phones," she said. "We urgently need ban on them along with fines."

Another conservative politician, Gerlinde Kaupa, a health policy expert for the Christian Social Union (CSU), backed the anti-smoking proposal.

According to Bild, accident researchers found that a car going 50 kilometers (31 miles) an hour continues to travel 14 meters (16 yards) per second while a driver searches for a cigarette that has fallen out of his or her hand.

The road safety organization Traffic Watch welcomed the proposal.

"Driving demands the driver's 100-percent attention and any kind of distraction presents a danger," said the organization's director, Michael Hartje. He criticized the presence of ashtrays and drink holders that he said turn driving into a "sideline job."

Government against the idea

But Germany's transport ministry doesn't see the issue in quite so serious terms and has rejected the idea of putting a legal ban in place.

"There is no scientific proof that smoking drastically increases the risk of having an accident," said a ministry spokeswoman. She added that such legislation would be a case of "overregulation."

Her boss agreed. Manfred Stolpe, the transport minister, said the proposal would do nothing to increase traffic safety.

Germany's largest automotive club, ADAC, also dismissed the idea.

"Eating chocolate bars, bananas or fish sandwiches while driving is also dangerous," said the group's spokesman, Rainer Hillgärtner.