Citation

International Association for Accident and Traffic Medicine. J. Traffic Med. 1983; 11(2): p36.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1983, International Association for Accident and Traffic Medicine)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

The immediate and indirect effects of smoking in the car and especially at the wheel are described. The distracting effects of smoking while driving are noted. Tobacco smoke is also the root of other dangers. Four groups of substances present in the smoke constitute biological and toxicological hazards: nicotine and its derivatives; carbon monoxide (CO); irritating chemical substances such as nitric oxide, phenyl alcohol, etc.; and tar and its derivatives. Each of these groups of compounds are discussed. Cigarette smoke consists of two currents of smoke: lateral currents and central currents. Studies have shown that non-smokers are almost as exposed as smokers. Exposure to carbon monoxide is most dangerons to drivers since it causes delayed reflexes and miscalculation of distances. Toxic substances in tobacco also affect night vision. Thus, it is pointed out, the non-smoking driver is exposed to the cigarette smoke of other occupants inside an automobile.

Language: en

Keywords

Automobiles; Drivers; Driver performance; Passengers; Environmental impacts; Impaired drivers; Personnel performance; Carbon monoxide; Driver impairment; Biological factors; Living things; Nitric oxide; Tobacco smoke