It’s maddening to drive behind people who toss their cigarette butts out of their car window. Whether it’s the furtive cupped hand, dropping the smoke on the sly, or the arrogant far-flung flick of the burning butt, it’s frustrating to witness. It’s frustrating because it’s against the law. Because it’s littering. Because people don’t seem to care they might start a fire. And because we see it all of the time.
Honking or yelling at these people is a natural reaction, but doesn’t do anything to rectify the situation. And combining road rage and cigarette rage is just a recipe for well, lots of rage.
What to do? Grab your cell phone – you know, the one you only use in your car in case of emergency – and call Washington state’s litter hotline.
Everyone has seen the “Litter and it will hurt” signs on our freeways. The litter law, however, applies everywhere. (Although some cities and counties have even stricter ordinances than the state law.) Here’s your chance to help educate those litterers behind the wheel, whether they are tossing cigarettes, fast-food remains or candy wrappers. (Litterers tend to eat junk food.)
Program the litter hotline number into your cell phone and/or keep a notebook and pen in your vehicle so you can report violators. When calling the hotline, report the basic information such as date, time, location, objects thrown and the vehicle license plate number. Department of Ecology staff then cross-reference the license plate with the Department of Licensing to get the name and address of the vehicle’s registered owner.
Tickets can’t be issued from a citizen’s report, but the vehicle owner is sent a warning letter informing them about litter laws and fines. The Department of Ecology says the primary purpose of the hotline is to send a message to litterers that other people care and are watching. Help send that message. Report violators. This is not Big Brotherish. It’s just a chance to help educate our cigarette-flinging brothers and sisters. They will be reminded that a $103 fine is a hefty price to pay for privilege of sharing their trash with the rest of us.
To report litter violators, call 866-LITTER-1 (866-548-8371) or 711(TTY relay).
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