Council hopes drivers' dash cam footage will help catch litter louts on our roads
Posted on 12 Feb 2024
Drivers are being asked to share dash cam footage of other motorists throwing rubbish from their vehicles - as North Ayrshire Council gets tough on litter louts.
Videos showing people throwing litter – from cigarettes to fast-food packaging – can be used as evidence for the Council to issue a Fixed Penalty Notice of £80.
Road signs warning drivers who are tempted to throw waste from their vehicles can already been seen on different stretches of carriageway across North Ayrshire.
In 2018, the Council became the first local authority in Scotland to use dash cam footage to help penalise litter bugs tossing rubbish from moving vehicles.
In a fresh appeal, motorists are being asked again to come forward with footage from their dashboard cameras that shows people littering from vehicles.
This is being done under Section 87 of the Environmental Protection (Scotland) Act, which makes littering a criminal offence.
Councillor Tony Gurney, Cabinet Member for Green Environment and Economy, said: “Most of us have seen people throwing litter from cars, vans and lorries and this is usually cigarette ends, drinks cans or fast-food wrappers. One driver was caught littering twice in a matter of weeks last year.
“We urge anyone with video footage of littering to send it to us so we can investigate and potentially use it as evidence to issue fines and help bring an end to this type of littering, which is completely unacceptable.
“We all have a responsibility to keep North Ayrshire tidy.”
The use of dash cam footage as evidence has a high payment rate for the £80 FPN, with no need for a witness statement.
All Notices are the responsibility of the registered keeper, and the Council’s Streetscene team can check who this is through the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA). MOT and tax checks can also be carried out.
In 2023, the Council issued 367 FPNs for littering offences - 22 for dog fouling, 250 for fly-tipping and 95 for littering.
If you have relevant footage, please email EnvironmentalEnforcementTeam@north-ayrshire.gov.uk - and remember all footage will be dealt with confidentially and offenders will never know who submitted it.
Our photos shows Environmental Enforcement Officer Julie Donnan in her Streetscene vehicle, which is fitted with a dashboard camera.