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Car owners must pay passengers' litter fines, says Tory peer | Car owners must pay passengers' litter fines, says Tory peer |
(about 1 hour later) | |
Car owners whose passengers throw litter on to the road should be liable for an on-the-spot £80 fine, a Conservative peer has recommended. | Car owners whose passengers throw litter on to the road should be liable for an on-the-spot £80 fine, a Conservative peer has recommended. |
Lord Marlesford, who has tabled a parliamentary bill, said England was "one of the dirtiest countries Europe". | Lord Marlesford, who has tabled a parliamentary bill, said England was "one of the dirtiest countries Europe". |
He said it was time for motorists to take responsibility for the actions of their passengers and his plan would mean "fewer people get away with it". | He said it was time for motorists to take responsibility for the actions of their passengers and his plan would mean "fewer people get away with it". |
The government was "beginning" to see the need for action, he told the BBC. | The government was "beginning" to see the need for action, he told the BBC. |
The Environment Agency estimates it removes almost a quarter of a million sacks of rubbish from the side of England's motorways each year. | |
Under current law, a council has to establish which person in the car is responsible for throwing litter before imposing a fine. | |
Lord Marlesford wants the car's owner to be culpable in all cases, in an effort to improve detection rates. | Lord Marlesford wants the car's owner to be culpable in all cases, in an effort to improve detection rates. |
'No excuse' | 'No excuse' |
He told BBC Radio 4's The World at One it was "difficult to prove who threw it", adding: "England is one of the dirtiest countries in Europe. It's frankly disgraceful that people throw litter and it's time to bring in a deterrent." | He told BBC Radio 4's The World at One it was "difficult to prove who threw it", adding: "England is one of the dirtiest countries in Europe. It's frankly disgraceful that people throw litter and it's time to bring in a deterrent." |
He added that he had "not often seen people throw out litter. I have from time to time... most of the litter is dropped out when people can't see it being done... [But] the fact is it is done and the roads are very dirty and it's time to do something about it." | He added that he had "not often seen people throw out litter. I have from time to time... most of the litter is dropped out when people can't see it being done... [But] the fact is it is done and the roads are very dirty and it's time to do something about it." |
Lord Marlesford also said: "Somebody in a vehicle has no excuse for throwing litter out because they have got the vehicle for keeping it in. If they don't do it, they won't get fined." | Lord Marlesford also said: "Somebody in a vehicle has no excuse for throwing litter out because they have got the vehicle for keeping it in. If they don't do it, they won't get fined." |
Asked if he thought it unfair if a passenger, such as a friend's child, threw rubbish, the car owner would still be culpable, he replied: "You are responsible for people in your car and you should take that responsibility. If you allow children to throw litter, that's reprehensible, in my view." | Asked if he thought it unfair if a passenger, such as a friend's child, threw rubbish, the car owner would still be culpable, he replied: "You are responsible for people in your car and you should take that responsibility. If you allow children to throw litter, that's reprehensible, in my view." |
He added: "I think the DfT [Department for Transport] are beginning to come round to the need for this." | He added: "I think the DfT [Department for Transport] are beginning to come round to the need for this." |
Roads minister Mike Penning said: "If all drivers keep a bag in their vehicle to store rubbish and then dispose of it safely, it will be a real step forward in reducing roadside litter. | |
"It's a disgrace that we spend nearly £10m a year clearing litter from the side of England's motorways, just because a lazy and thoughtless minority can't be bothered to dispose of it properly. It's time for us all to step up to the mark and start taking responsibility for our litter." |
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