On 28/01/2024 06:39 pm, Simon Mason wrote:

New research1 from Churchill Car Insurance reveals that over 7.6 million drivers admit to throwing rubbish out the window while driving.

Sigh...

They have NOT got 7.7 million drivers insured with them.

Almost certainly not more than 10% of that number (if as much as that).

Someone's been making up the numbers again.

One in seven drivers (15 per cent) have littered while at wheel in the last month alone. The research shows that non-degradable items like soft drink cans, plastic bags and fast food wrappers are the most common items we're happy to dispose of while

driving (8 per cent). This is compared to five per cent who throw out degradable litter such as fruit and other foods.

Drivers who smoke also contribute to the UK's littering problem. In fact, 5 per cent dispose of cigarette butts and e-cigarettes on the roads.

Churchill explored the reasons drivers give for littering on the roads rather than disposing of rubbish responsibly. A quarter (25 per cent) admitted to throwing away rubbish behind the wheel due to force of habit. Just over one in five (21 per cent)

litter to prevent clutter in the car, followed by 20 per cent who either admitted they couldn't stop on the road or wanted to concentrate on diving.

...when they ought to have been concentrating on DRIVING.

When it comes to attitudes towards car littering amongst different age groups, young people are five times more likely to have thrown litter out of a vehicle than those aged 55+. Indeed, more than a quarter (28 per cent) of drivers aged between 18 and

34 admit to having thrown litter out of the window while behind the wheel, compared to just one in 20 (5 per cent) drivers aged over 55. One in seven (14 per cent) drivers aged between 35 and 54 claim to have littered behind the wheel in the past month.

The research examined the type of deterrents that would be effective in preventing UK drivers from littering. Fines emerged top of the list, with 43 per cent admitting the threat of a financial penalty would stop them littering. This was closely

followed by receiving three points on their licence (42 per cent) or a one month driving ban (37 per cent). Interestingly, a third of littering drivers (33 per cent) would reconsider their littering ways if a damning photo was posted in their local
newspaper or they were subjected to community service.

Did none of them point out that they are simply two law-abidingly
conscientious to drop litter anywhere, whether on foot or in a vehicle?

The worst litterers, of course, are chavs on chav-bikes on "time trials" through villages with tempting village greens.

Steve Barrett, head of car insurance at Churchill commented: "Littering on the UK roads is a problem as it can prove hazardous to other drivers, harmful to the environment and costly for councils to clear up. The research shows it's often force of

habit that makes drivers litter when behind the wheel. It's important that drivers think about where rubbish can be stored temporarily until it is safe for them to stop and dispose of the items responsibly."

https://www.churchill.com/press-office/releases/2016/over-7-million-drivers-admit-to-littering-from-their-cars

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On 29/01/2024 08:32 am, Simon Mason wrote:

A business owner has been left “disgusted” after two "taxi" drivers were caught on CCTV littering on his premises.

The incident occurred in Rishton at around 9.49pm on Wednesday, January 4. Two "taxis", one a black Toyota and the other a silver Volkswagen, can be seen arriving at the premises at 9.34pm and reversing into a space away from the road in front of the premises.
Another clip then shows the driver of the Toyota opening his door, leaning out and placing a pizza box underneath the car.
The final clip shows the Volkswagen driver getting out of the rear passenger door whilst smoking a cigarette and holding a drinks can in his hand. He gets back into his own vehicle and the Toyota drives off.
As it does, the Volkswagen driver winds down his window and throws the can away, before driving off in the same direction as the Toyota.
This all played out while an industrial-sized bin is clearly in view on the CCTV, just behind the two cars.
The owner of the business, who did not want he or the business to be named, said: “I was just disgusted really.
"It’s not acceptable for a private person to do but for someone who’s got a business – "taxi" drivers serve the community and to pull up outside your premises and have pizzas and stuff thrown all over the floor, it’s bad.
“[I want them] to have a bit of self-respect.”
Cllr Noordad Aziz (Labour, Netherton) said: “From my perspective, any littering is not acceptable, especially from someone who is in a public facing role.
“They should be setting examples and holding themselves to a very high standard and I’m disappointed this incident has occurred.
“Hopefully the person refrains from doing this in the future. It’s not acceptable.”
Emails from both Hyndburn Council and Blackburn with Darwen Council to the business owner confirmed that the "taxis" were registered with Blackburn.
Neither vehicle was displaying operator door signs.

Taxis don't have to have "operators" so are obviously not required to
have "operator door signs".

IOW, the vehicles were not taxis.

Just pirate cars.

https://www.lancashiretelegraph.co.uk/news/23240306.rishton-business-owner-disgusted-littering-taxi-drivers/

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