Britain goes after smoking drivers

London -- British smokers may be losing one of the last places they could light up in peace -- their own cars.

Under new regulations, drivers who crash while smoking could be prosecuted for driving while distracted, The Telegraph reported. That would mean a fine of around $5,000, nine points on their licenses or even a suspension.

The Department of Transportation has added 42 pages and 29 additional rules to the new Highway Code. The code was last revised in 1999.

In addition to listing smoking as a "distraction," the code now advises drivers to pull over if the sun is in their eyes.

Drivers cannot be ticketed simply for smoking behind the wheel. But it could make crashes far more expensive and unpleasant.

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Copyright 2007 by United Press International.