Drivers have been warned they could face hefty fines and penalty points on their licences for breaching important Highway Code rules.
Rule 147 of the Code prohibits throwing anything out of a vehicle, with campaigners calling on the Government to introduce tougher rules for drivers who litter, including licence penalty points and increased fines.
The move has been supported by Baroness Sayeeda Warsi, who is a Member of the House of Lords and part of the campaign group Clean Up Britain.
The campaign group had previously launched a 10-point plan on improving the state of UK motorways, which included calls to raise littering fines to up to £1,000 and receive six penalty points.
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Experts have urged the Government to introduce tougher penalties for littering while driving
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A spokesperson for waste management group J Dickinson & Sons said: “The amount of waste discarded onto roads and highways is a significant issue, not just for the environment but also for public safety.
“Increasing fines and adding penalty points would send a clear message that littering is unacceptable and comes with real consequences.”
The company warned that there is a costly impact of roadside litter, describing it as a “resource-intensive task” which adds to the bills of taxpayers.
The spokesperson added: “More stringent penalties could help reduce the volume of waste, ultimately saving time and money spent on clean-up operations.”
Under UK law, current fines for littering stand at up to £150, with prosecutions leading to drivers facing potential charges of £2,500.
Rule 147 states: “You MUST NOT throw anything out of a vehicle; for example, food or food packaging, cigarette ends, cans, paper or carrier bags. This can endanger other road users, particularly motorcyclists and cyclists.”
However, campaigners argue these penalties are not enough to prevent repeat offences and that strong enforcement is “key”.
The spokesperson stated that littering is a form of environmental vandalism that must be taken seriously, with harsher fines putting people off from “carelessly disposing of waste from their vehicles”.
The firm also supported the greater use of technology, such as Automatic Number Plate Recognition cameras, to identify offenders, who would then face justice.
While tougher penalties could act as a strong deterrent, J Dickinson & Sons noted that there was a need for broader waste management solutions, including public education and increased availability of bins in lay-bys and service areas.
The experts shared: “Raising awareness about the consequences of littering, alongside enforcing stricter penalties, will create a cultural shift where littering is no longer tolerated. A combination of prevention, enforcement, and education is the key to tackling this issue effectively.”
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Campaigners have called for police to use Automatic Number Plate Recognition cameras to fine drivers
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Last year North East Lincolnshire Council took nearly 800 people to court for littering while driving and failing to pay penalties over the last six years.
Councillor Ron Shepherd said at the time: “It’s important that people understand the rules across North East Lincolnshire and adhere to them and realise if you take no action following a fine the Council will pursue the matter.
“Our Council plan advocates a zero-tolerance policy and we constantly review how we deliver our enforcement to make sure we can effectively tackle any issues.”