The Voice of Spalding and South Holland
Smokers in South Holland could land themselves with a £50 fine after Lincolnshire police said they would enforce a new law.
From October 1 it became illegal for drivers to smoke in a car carrying children aged under 18 years old.
The law applies even if the windows or sunroof are open or air conditioning is on, although not in a convertible car if the roof is down.
It also does not apply if the driver is 17 years old and on their own in the car and it does not apply to electronic cigarettes and all forms of nicotine vaporisers.
Some police forces across the country have said they would not actively enforce the law, but Lincolnshire Police says they “embrace” the new legislation and enforce it “where appropriate, although it will not replace the ‘fatal four’ road safety priorities”.
Chief Inspector Phil Vickers, regional operations lead on roads policing, said: “We will embrace the new legislation and enforce it where appropriate.
“We will also work with our partner agencies to raise awareness of the new law.
“Our focus remains on the Fatal 4 offences which are speeding, drink and drug driving, driving without a seat belt and using mobile phone.
“Our approach to this new offence will primarily be to the educate smokers where we see the offence being committed.”
Drivers and passengers caught flouting the new law could face a £50 fine.
