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Corby crackdown on smoking in company vehicles
Enforcers are to target businesses and drivers after finding more than four in five motorists break the law by smoking in company vehicles.
Since new legislation was introduced in July last year smoking in company cars, business vehicles and public transport has been banned for drivers and passengers.
No-smoking signs must also be displayed clearly inside and outside the vehicles.
Last week Corby Council health improvement officer Ted Greaves checked 100 vehicles at random in the town and found 86 did not comply with the regulations.
From this week, anyone caught without signs will be ordered to pay a 200 fine.
Mr Greaves said: "Some of the work vehicles with the wrong signs belonged to big, national companies.
"I took a note of all the registrations but I have given them a chance to get their vehicles correctly signed. From today we will be rigorously enforcing the law."
Mr Greaves will take photographs of vehicles without signs and issue 200 fines, which drop to 150 if they are paid within 15 days.
Drivers of vehicles who have attempted to comply with the law but have made errors with the signs may be given advice by Mr Greaves' team.
He said: "If they don't pay up then it can go to magistrates court with a potential fine of up to 1,000."
The law covers work vans, company cars and even private vehicles which are used more than 50 per cent of the time for work.
Taxis, mini-buses and other vehicles used by members of the public are included.
Smoking is not allowed at any time, and a sign at least 70mm in diameter must be displayed in each compartment of the vehicle.
The driver of the vehicle can be fined, as well as the owner, if signs are not correct.
Corby Council lead member for environment Peter McEwan said: "The legislation has been active for more than nine months now.
"There has been plenty of time for people to put the right signs into all smoke-free
vehicles."
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Sunday 27 May 2012
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