People caught smoking while behind the wheel could end up seeing their insurance premiums sky rocket, thanks to new amendments to the highway code.

Drivers caught lighting up at the wheel could risk a £60 fine, hikes in their insurance premiums and three points on their licence. Some insurers are apparently doubling their premiums, while others aren't even offering premiums, a report from Confused.com states.

According to the price comparison site's research, a 21-year-old driver could see premiums increase by a whopping 21.7 per cent following a smoking-related CD10 (driving without due care and attention) conviction.

"Driving without due care and attention is taken very seriously by insurers, and this is reflected in the amount by which premiums rise with CD10's on your licence," Debra Williams, managing director of Confused.com, says.

"As changes to the Highway Code have only recently been introduced, only time will tell which insurers increase or decrease the level to which they penalise those caught smoking while driving.

"However one thing remains certain, points on your licence spells bad news for your insurance premium. This makes a thorough search of the market the only sure way to keep the cost of insurance down."

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