Charles J Argento, Accident and Injury Attorney
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Can cigarette smoking cause a car crash?

On Behalf of | Nov 30, 2018 | blog

Driving drunk and taking illegal drugs before getting behind the wheel is not only dangerous but against the law as well. However, some drivers do not realize that other types of behaviors may increase the probability of a motor vehicle collision also. For example, someone may be more likely to cause a car accident if they are smoking a cigarette while they are driving. Even though this may not seem like something that would cause a crash, there are various concerns associated with this behavior.

According to information published by the National Institutes of Health, the results of one study showed that smokers were more likely to be involved in a traffic crash than those who did not smoke. The author brought up a number of possible explanations for these results, such as the toxicity of carbon monoxide and the possibility that smoking behind the wheel distracts people from driving.

It is not hard to see how smoking could cause a driver to become distracted. Reaching for a cigarette, using a lighter and trying to roll down the window are just some ways that smokers may become distracted on the road. Unfortunately, this is one instance where smoking may place other lives in danger and people should be aware of these concerns. If you smoke, consider waiting until you are off the road to light up. If you are hit by someone who was smoking while they were operating a vehicle, this detail could impact your case if you move forward with a lawsuit.