One of my biggest pet peeves is littering. It really irks me. I really don't understand how someone can toss an empty Whataburger soda container out the window! aargh. I checked the website www.dontmesswithtexas.org and read up on how to report a litterbug. The website recommended turning them in through the Texas Department of Transportation's Report a Litterer Program. First get the the following information:
- Texas license plate number (Texas plates only)
- Make of vehicle
- Time of day
- Location
- Date
- Who tossed (driver, passenger or accidental)
- What was tossed
and then follow the instructions on the website. "TxDOT compares the information to our vehicle registration database and when an exact match is located, we send the litterer a Don't Mess with Texas litterbag along with a letter reminding them to keep their trash off of our roads. And you can feel good about doing something to clean up our beloved Lone Star State."
Is that all? I thought they would surely get fined or worse. Instead they get a free litterbag?
Hablamos español.
As an SRES® designee, I have received additional education on such topics as tax laws, probate, estate planning, equity conversion strategies, and can offer you information on current market trends as well as valuable resources regarding real estate transactions.
Maybe those litterbags would be better if they were more accessiable to everyones car? Maybe the state should start putting them places where people will have one in their car? Just a thought.
Hi Shirley! I'm so with you on this one- I don't understand why people think it's ok to throw trash on the roadways.
Then again... I've never owned a car that had a specific place for trash, and now cars don't even come with ashtrays- so people think it's ok to throw their cigarette butts out the window, too!! Maybe auto makers need to rethink this.
I like the "Don't mess with Texas" slogan, and soft touch approach of sending them a bag. Hmmmmm I wonder if they make the connection, though!
Hi Gail, I forbid eating or drinking (except for water) in my car so I usually don't have any trash to throw away. Cough drop wrappers, etc., I just put in my purse and clean my purse out later. It's a good idea to keep one of those plastic bags from the grocery store in one's glove compartment car for trash.
Hi Mary, Sending them a litterbag is better than nothing, I suppose. Maybe some of them will get the connection. I think the anti-littering slogan our state has is awesome.
Shirley - Since moving down here I've been shocked at how much littering I see take place on a regular basis. Everywhere I've ever lived has had people throwing trash out the windows, but here in Texas, it seems to be more common than the other states I've lived in. You also mentioned Whataburger and this has been bothering me since I moved here - why do so many places here in Texas still use styrofoam cups? I thought styrofoam went the way of the dinosaur when it came to fast food, but not here.
Hi Matt, I was depressed by how much trash I saw by the side of the road when I lived in Virginia, too. I think it is more visible in the winter when everything is exposed and not hidden in the greenery. I'm not sure why some places still use styrofoam cups and haven't given it any thought, maybe because I never order sodas. Good point. I would be curious to know the profile of a litterer... is it mostly young people, construction laborers, or who?
Thanks Shirley. I didnt know it was that easy to report someone for littering. Im with you and dont understand why someone cant wait until they get home or even when they are stopped at a stop light. We have trash cans at almost every stop light in our area. That is just the type of person... trashy.
Hi John, Yes, trashy... that's a good word... and rude and self-centered. What are they thinking?