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SmokingSouth Africa

Learn traffic rules with clear explanations and visual examples in our illustrated book, designed to make studying simple and engaging.

Traffic signs
Traffic rules
South Africa

206. Smoking

Smoking while driving can distract the driver by occupying a hand, taking attention away from the road and creating smoke, ash or dropped objects inside the vehicle. Tobacco smoke can also reduce air quality and expose passengers to second-hand smoke. Some countries restrict or prohibit smoking in vehicles, particularly when children are present. Drivers should always remain in full control of the vehicle and avoid any activity that interferes with safe driving.

Smoking
Person using an electronic cigarette and exhaling a large vapour cloud.
Wikimedia.org • TBEC Review • CC BY
Can smoking distract a driver?

Yes. Lighting, holding or extinguishing a cigarette can create manual and visual distraction, while smoke or dropped ash can also interfere with concentration.

Is smoking while driving illegal?

This depends on the country. Some countries allow smoking while driving but prohibit it when children are present or in certain types of vehicles.

Why is smoking in a car with children a problem?

Smoking in an enclosed vehicle exposes passengers to second-hand smoke, and children are particularly vulnerable to its harmful effects.

Do smoking bans in vehicles also apply to electronic cigarettes?

In some countries, yes. Laws may treat vaping or electronic cigarettes in the same way as smoking when restricting their use inside vehicles.

Can cigarette smoke affect visibility?

Heavy smoke inside a vehicle can reduce comfort and visibility, while smoke residue can also create a film on the windscreen and windows that increases glare.

Can throwing a cigarette from a vehicle be dangerous?

Yes. A discarded cigarette can create litter, distract other road users or start a fire, particularly in dry vegetation.

1 South Africa 2 Motorway 3 Speed limit 4 Pedestrian warning 5 Speed bump 6 Toll road 7 Dead end 8 Stop sign 9 Give way 10 Roundabout 11 Pedestrian crossing 12 Railway crossing 13 School area 14 Crossing animals 15 Curve 16 Wrong-way driving 17 Traffic lights 18 Traffic lights warning 19 Traffic mirror 20 Parking 21 Reversing 22 Tourist attraction 23 Dangers 24 Bus 25 Police 26 Ambulance 27 Pothole 28 Path 29 Particulates 30 Air pollution 31 Rush hour 32 Road code 33 Street gutter 34 Cargo bike 35 Forestry vehicle 36 Construction vehicle 37 Semi-trailer truck 38 Trolleybus 39 Speed pedelec 40 Delivery vehicle 41 Idling 42 Tow truck 43 Four-wheel drive 44 Bicycle 45 Motorcycle equipment 46 Rail track 47 Caravan 48 Trailer 49 Tow hitch 50 Fire truck 51 Siren 52 Convoy 53 Emergency vehicle lighting 54 Agricultural machinery 55 Electric bicycle 56 Electric vehicle 57 Pedelec 58 Quadricycle 59 Microcar 60 All-terrain vehicle 61 Van 62 Recreational vehicle 63 Scooter 64 Trikke 65 Personal mobility device 66 Skateboard 67 Segway 68 Kick scooter 69 Roller skates 70 Mailman 71 Hitchhiker 72 Toddler 73 Child 74 Disability 75 Motorail 76 km/h 77 mph 78 Speedometer 79 Ride height 80 Dirt road 81 Driving 82 Start-stop system 83 Manual transmission 84 Automatic transmission 85 Throttle 86 Tachometer 87 Steering wheel 88 Power steering 89 Visual scanning 90 Mirror 91 Fuel 92 Fuel gauge 93 Petrol 94 Diesel 95 Diesel exhaust fluid 96 Car insurance 97 First aid kit 98 Fire extinguisher 99 High-visibility clothing 100 First aid ... 101 Concrete step barrier 102 Barriers 103 Vehicle lights 104 Street lights 105 Dipped beam 106 High beam 107 Fog lights 108 Front fog lights 109 Rear fog lights 110 Side lights 111 Turn signals 112 Hazard lights 113 Dashboard lights 114 Bicycle lighting 115 Bicycle bell 116 Headlight flashing 117 Seat belt 118 Child restraints 119 Head restraints 120 Airbag 121 ABS 122 Esp 123 Traction control system 124 Helmet 125 Bicycle helmet 126 Hands-free 127 Smartphone 128 GPS 129 Brake 130 Handbrake 131 Brake fluid 132 Tyres 133 Tyre code 134 Winter tyres 135 Tyre pressure 136 Snow chains 137 Bicycle tyre 138 Continuous track 139 Gross Vehicle Weight 140 Gross Vehicle Weight Rating 141 Cargo 142 Car body 143 Trunk 144 Roof rack 145 Windscreen 146 Emergency hammer 147 Car battery 148 Traction battery 149 Suspension 150 Shock absorber 151 Spring 152 Exhaust 153 Exhaust gas 154 Soot 155 Catalytic converter 156 Engine 157 Petrol engine 158 Diesel engine 159 Electric motor 160 Timing belt 161 Glow plug 162 Cylinder 163 Engine oil 164 Coolant 165 Maintenance 166 Spare tyre 167 Flat tyre 168 Jack 169 Vehicle inspection 170 Key 171 Dashboard 172 Windscreen wiper 173 Doors 174 Glovebox 175 Visibility 176 Rain 177 Fog 178 Hail 179 Sunlight 180 Sunglasses 181 Salt 182 Air conditioning 183 Hydroplaning 184 Distraction 185 Emotions 186 Road rage 187 Health 188 Epilepsy 189 Night blindness 190 Visual impairment 191 Fatigue 192 Defects 193 Traffic violation 194 Alcohol 195 Alcohol control 196 Ignition interlock device 197 Breath test 198 Breath analysis 199 Blood alcohol content 200 Blood test 201 Saliva test 202 Drugs 203 Medication 204 Penalties 205 Speeding 206 Smoking 207 Traffic enforcement camera 208 Accident 209 Injuries 210 Nosebleed 211 Damage 212 Breakdown 213 Warning triangle 214 Traffic rules 215 Driving school 216 Traffic signs