Man hit with $833 fine for throwing burning cigarette out of his car in a rural area in Victoria’s northeast
A Victorian man has been slapped with a $833 fine after he threw a burning cigarette from a car in a rural area in the state’s northeast.
The offence was initially committed in June last year and reported to EPA Victoria (Environment Protection Authority) by a witness.
They saw a man toss a lit cigarette butt from his Toyota Camry while driving on the Hume Fwy at Barnawartha North, with the cigarette bouncing off the witness’ car bonnet.
Sign up to The Nightly's newsletters.
Get the first look at the digital newspaper, curated daily stories and breaking headlines delivered to your inbox.
By continuing you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy.The man’s careless actions could have resulted in a “devastating” bushfire given the native flora growing along the freeway reserve, the EPA said.
“As we enter the hotter months, it sounds a warning,” the environmental regulator said.
“Cigarette butts are the most common litter, and even if they don’t start a fire, they often find their way through drains into local waterways.”
The Tarneit man was charged with unlawfully depositing dangerous litter and was due to appear at the Wodonga Magistrates Court last Tuesday but did not show up.
Despite this, the magistrate found him found guilty and he was fined $740 plus $93 in costs to EPA Victoria.
Originally published on 7NEWS
