Roadside litter a growing menace as British drivers become worse litterbugs

The research highlights a disturbing trend that young people are five times more likely to throw litter out of their vehicle than older people, and nor do they care; almost one in three (31%) aged 16-24 said it didn't bother them to see others chucking litter from their vehicles.

The survey coincides with today's launch of Tidy Britain Groups' Car Litter campaign. Jamjar.com is supporting the campaign, which runs until 13th August, by lobbying the ODPM (DTLR) to update the Highway Code to make people realise throwing litter is an offence, and can be dangerous.

Who's got the litterbugs?

The North East and Yorkshire & Humberside are the worst regions for seeing others throwing litter out of their vehicles. Over 88% have seen others discard litter, compared with only two-thirds (67%) of people in London. The South East, excluding London (87%) is the second worst region, closely followed by Scotland and the East Midlands (84%).

More Welsh admitted discarding litter from their vehicles than anyone else, with one in four (25%) doing so. Almost one in four (23%) Scots and people from the Eastern region also admitted throwing litter. Nationally, under one fifth (19%) admitted to the offence.

Punishment should fit the crime

With three-quarters (75%) thinking fines are not enough of a deterrent, jamjar.com asked what would be more effective deterrents to punish litter offenders:

1. Spending a day with a dustman clearing up rubbish (31% of respondents)
2. Larger fixed penalty fines (27%)
3. Community Service (13%)
4. Public humiliation - wearing a sign in public saying "I drop litter" (8%)
5. Imprisonment. (3%)
6. Others responses included: Chop their hands off (1 respondent) Electric Shock treatment (1 respondent)

The research also reveals that the punishment for littering is thought to be far more severe than reality. The 79% of people willing to hazard a guess estimate the average fine to be just under £230 - far in excess of the actual £25 fixed penalty. Nationally however, only 13% of people think that the police take littering from vehicles seriously.

The Car Litter campaign therefore aims to encourage people to take their litter home instead of discarding it at the roadside. The Tidy Britain Group is providing windscreen stickers to show support for the campaign.

Alan Woods, Chief Executive of Tidy Britain Group said:

It is our firm belief that most people in this country are absolutely disgusted by litter and are tired of picking up the tab for other people's dirty habits. What we're aiming at with this campaign is to galvanise that majority into making a public statement on car rubbish, so that the litter dropper is reminded that his or her actions are unacceptable, anti-social and criminal.

Oliver Prill, jamjar.com's Managing Director said:

It costs councils over £350million to clean up our streets. We are proud to help the Tidy Britain Group encourage people to take their litter home. Jamjar.com is lobbying the ODPM (DTLR) to ensure the Highway Code is updated to make people aware that littering the sides of our roads is an offence and can be dangerous.

jamjar.com's top 5 environmental vehicles:

1. Nissan Almera Tino SE - Lots of in-car pockets. And space for your litter.
2. Audi A2 1.4 TDI - Most economical diesel car
3. Honda Insight 1.0 - Most economical and lowest CO2 emitting car
4. Volvo S60 - 70% of the parts in this car can be recycled
5. Refuse Collection Vehicle - cleans up the mess others leave.

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