Will smoking while driving on the highway result in penalty points if caught on camera?
3 Answers
Smoking while driving on the highway will not result in penalty points if caught on camera. However, smoking on the highway and being caught will incur a fine. The newly revised "Regulations on the Application and Use of Motor Vehicle Driving Licenses" does not include any provisions for penalty points in this regard. It provides a detailed explanation of the corresponding penalties for violations. If a driver is caught smoking while driving, they will be fined. Below are additional situations that result in a 12-point penalty: 1. Driving a motor vehicle that does not match the permitted vehicle type. 2. Driving under the influence of alcohol. 3. Operating a passenger transport vehicle (excluding buses) or school bus carrying more than 20% of the approved passenger capacity. 4. Fleeing the scene after causing a traffic accident without constituting a crime. 5. Driving a motor vehicle on the road without displaying a license plate, or intentionally obscuring, damaging, or not installing the license plate as required.
Having driven for so many years, I often see drivers smoking on the highway. Being caught on camera will indeed result in penalty points, as traffic laws explicitly prohibit smoking while driving due to its distracting and dangerous nature. Specifically, highways have extensive surveillance, and electronic eyes capturing smoke or suspicious movements may record it as a violation. Once confirmed by traffic police, it typically results in a 2-point deduction and a 200-yuan fine, affecting one's safe driving record. Worse still, distraction may increase the risk of rear-end collisions or loss of control. I recommend stopping at service areas if you need to smoke, cultivating good habits instead of taking chances thinking no one is watching. Before each drive, remind yourself to focus on controlling the vehicle, manage cigarette cravings, and ensure road safety for yourself and others.
I understand drivers want to relieve stress by smoking, but smoking while driving on highways will definitely result in penalty points if caught. This behavior violates traffic regulations, and the principle of safety first cannot be ignored. Smoking distracts attention, and holding the steering wheel with one hand and a cigarette with the other makes it easy to miss road conditions. Cameras are everywhere, and smoke being caught on camera can trigger an alarm. The usual outcome is penalty points plus a fine, with more severe consequences for repeated violations. I recall a case where a driver crashed into a guardrail due to distraction from smoking. It's better to develop good habits—have a smoke before setting off or wait until reaching a rest stop. This protects health, avoids penalties, keeps the vehicle clean (no ash staining the interior), and most importantly, ensures safety—killing multiple birds with one stone.
