New technology will put brakes on litterbug motorists

A new trial launched this month is using latest technology to clamp down on litterbug motorists.

In the first pilot scheme in the country one county is using webcams to catch and fine drivers who throw rubbish out of their car windows on to roads.

The new LitterCam will provide footage and photographic evidence of the offending culprit’s number plate which is then sent to the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency, who will pass the details on to the relevant council to issue a fine of up to £120. In 2017 the law was changed so that prosecutors don’t need to prove who dropped the litter, the penalty is given to the owner of the vehicle.

At the moment fines are issued by wardens on patrol, but this means very few offenders are caught and penalised.

“It’s an extremely imaginative move by Maidstone Borough Council in Kent and I hope it is a success and that other councils follow their example,” said Ron Fox, of Noreus Ltd on the University of Keele Science and Innovation Park.

He said that according to Highways England around 200,000 sacks of litter, including cigarette butts, apple cores, coffee cups, leftovers of fast-food meals and even nappies, were removed just from England’s motorways every year. 

“The problem is that takes years for even a cigarette butt to degrade,” added Ron.

On top of that, he said that a recent study carried out by the campaign group, Keep Britain Tidy, showed that litter thrown on to grass verges affected the UK’s wildlife with as many as 3.2 million voles, shrews and mice dying every year after crawling into discarded bottles and cans and being unable to escape.

Also, the RSPCA said it receives 14 calls a day about animals affected by litter, and these figures increase during the summer months.

Finally, he added, that there were the problems of the rubbish making the roadsides look untidy, resources required to produce new products because the litter hasn’t been recycled, toxins entering the soil and water, plus the councils’ cleaning up bills which everyone pays through their local taxes.

Andrew Kemp, the inventor of LitterCam, is in talks to introduce the scheme into other areas including Wigan and Sheffield plus Scotland. 

However, Ron wondered whether the fines were enough of a deterrent on their own and that the punishment should also include licence points and community service.

“Perhaps if offenders had to spend some time picking up litter, they would literally have to clean up after their crimes,” he concluded. “They might then realise how litter spoils the planet and the environment for everyone else and hopefully it will lead to a change in their attitude and them not reoffending.

“We should send the message that motorists throwing litter out of a car window is as socially unacceptable as using a mobile phone while driving.”

For more details about green energy and cutting pollution call Ron on 01782 756995.

Caption: Caught on camera – Clamping down on litter lout drivers with the latest technology.