Think before you toss: 500-yuan fine for car littering

Throwing trash out of your car window might seem like a small, mindless act, but it can have significant consequences. Littering is not only harmful to the environment but also poses serious safety risks.

Car littering is fined 500 yuan in Shenzhen. File photo

Starting this Wednesday, a joint task force composed of Shenzhen traffic police and the city’s urban management bureau will patrol roads to monitor littering from vehicles. Drivers or passengers caught violating this rule will each face a fine of 500 yuan (US$70).

Citizens are also encouraged to report such violations via the iShenzhen app or the "深圳交警星级用户" WeChat mini-program.

Littering from cars is a widespread issue. When trash is thrown from vehicles, it accumulates on roadsides, in parks, and in waterways, harming wildlife, polluting water sources, and marring the appearance of public spaces. It can also endanger other drivers by causing accidents and poses risks to sanitation workers who must clean litter from busy roads.

In a recent incident, a truck caught fire on the Jiaxing section of the Shanghai-Hangzhou Expressway, resulting in tens of thousands of yuan in losses after its cargo of clothing was burned. 

A truck catches fire on the Shanghai-Hangzhou Expressway after its driver threw a cigarette butt out of the window. Image courtesy of Zhejiang traffic police

An investigation by Zhejiang traffic police found that the fire was caused by a cigarette butt thrown out of the window by the truck driver himself, which landed on the back of the vehicle.

Shenzhen traffic police warned that the dangers of littering from cars are often underestimated. Hard objects like water bottles hitting another car’s windshield can have the impact of a mini explosion, while even soft items like tissue paper or plastic bags can obstruct drivers’ vision.

Glass bottles shatter upon hitting the road, scattering sharp shards that can puncture tires of nearby vehicles. A punctured tire may cause a high-speed vehicle to lose control, leading to serious accidents.

Sanitation workers also face life-threatening risks when having to enter traffic lanes to clean up litter.

In a related effort, Shenzhen police have deployed 50 drones during morning and evening rush hours in Futian’s CBD to monitor downtown roads for traffic violations.