Crackdown On Car Litter Bugs Planned - 13th Apr 2008 7:58am
Car owners could be made to pay is anyone is caught on camera throwing litter from their vehicle, regardless of who the culprit is.
'No excuse for littering'The proposals would mean the registered owner of the vehicle has to pay a fine themselves or identify the litter bug.
Ministers are looking at ways to close a loophole that has stopped officials imposing spot fines of up to £80 for such offences.
At present they can only take action against the individual litter bug not the registered keeper of the car.
London's bylaws will be changed in June to get around the problem and the plan is to extend the changes nationwide.
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Environment Minister Joab Ruddock "There is no excuse for littering, particularly from cars.
"People can save rubbish inside their car and dispose of it at home.
"I am always horrified and angry when I see people throw something from a car."
Paul Bettison, of the Local Government Association, said: "Some of the current legislation is a mire of confusion.
"Registered keepers of vehicles can be prosecuted for speeding if details of the offender are given, so why not for littering?"
A spokeswoman for the Department of the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs said they were in talks "to find the best solution to this loophole".
'No excuse for littering'The proposals would mean the registered owner of the vehicle has to pay a fine themselves or identify the litter bug.
Ministers are looking at ways to close a loophole that has stopped officials imposing spot fines of up to £80 for such offences.
At present they can only take action against the individual litter bug not the registered keeper of the car.
London's bylaws will be changed in June to get around the problem and the plan is to extend the changes nationwide.
Advertisement
Environment Minister Joab Ruddock "There is no excuse for littering, particularly from cars.
"People can save rubbish inside their car and dispose of it at home.
"I am always horrified and angry when I see people throw something from a car."
Paul Bettison, of the Local Government Association, said: "Some of the current legislation is a mire of confusion.
"Registered keepers of vehicles can be prosecuted for speeding if details of the offender are given, so why not for littering?"
A spokeswoman for the Department of the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs said they were in talks "to find the best solution to this loophole".