Driving Instructor Warns: Littering from Cars Could Cost You £150

Motorists may face fines of up to £150 for littering from their vehicles, as highlighted by driving instructor James Simpkins. In a recent TikTok video, Simpkins emphasized the often-overlooked legal ramifications of tossing rubbish out of car windows. His message comes amid rising concerns over littering in his community, where he has witnessed a significant increase in roadside waste.

Simpkins, who took to the streets with his daughter to collect litter, expressed his dismay at the volume of rubbish littering the environment. He described the scene as “disgusting” and drew attention to the dangers posed by litter, not just to the landscape but to wildlife as well. He noted that according to Highways England, approximately 3 million animals are killed each year due to litter, a statistic he found particularly alarming.

In his video, Simpkins recorded a council worker collecting litter along an A road, underscoring the vulnerability of those tasked with cleaning up after careless motorists. He stated, “If I saw it on a dashcam, 100% you’re getting reported. There’s no excuse for it. Look after the planet.”

The law on littering has become stricter, with local authorities now empowered to impose fines on vehicle owners if litter is discarded from their cars. This means that the registered keeper of the vehicle can be penalized even if they were not the one who threw the rubbish. According to data from Keep Britain Tidy, around 33% of people are unaware of this regulation, highlighting a significant gap in public knowledge regarding littering laws.

The issue of littering has drawn criticism from environmental advocates, including Allison Ogden-Newton, Chief Executive of Keep Britain Tidy. She stated, “The mindless act of tossing plastic bottles and fast-food wrappers out of car windows is doing damage to our environment and our wildlife.” Recent research from the organization revealed that small mammals, such as voles and shrews, are often killed after becoming trapped in discarded bottles and cans.

As communities grapple with the growing problem of litter, Simpkins’ call for increased awareness and responsibility resonates. The current fines may not be sufficient to deter littering, and he argues for harsher penalties to protect both the environment and public health.

With the support of organizations like Keep Britain Tidy, efforts to educate the public about the legal and ecological consequences of littering are underway. The hope is that by raising awareness, more people will think twice before carelessly discarding waste from their vehicles.