30 July 2008
People who smoke while driving could be devaluing their cars as well as risking hefty fines and more expensive car insurance premiums, new research shows. According to British Car Auctions, buyers will be more reluctant to purchase a vehicle in which the previous owner has regularly smoked. Tim Naylor, the company's PR Manager, said presentation is "one of the strongest price factors in the used car market". "Presentation is not just about how it looks, but how it smells," he pointed out. And he added that businesses whose employees drive company cars should ban staff from smoking in them. But as well as putting off potential purchasers, smoking behind the wheel can also have serious consequences in terms of licence points and fines. Under current legislation, anyone caught driving inappropriately while smoking in their vehicle faces between three and nine penalty points and a fine of up to £2,500, as well as significant increases in their car insurance costs.
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