Majority of drivers say that it is acceptable to throw litter from the car window. Pete Doherty is just one of millions of people who treat the kerb as a rubbish bin, according to new research on roadside littering from a leading online insurance broker.

The Babyshambles front man was recently fined £100 for littering in London’s Regent’s Park, having been caught throwing litter out of a car window. However, he is not alone.

Just over half of the 1,078 motorists surveyed by www.motorinsurance.co.uk believe that it is acceptable to throw litter out of the car onto the road or verge.

In fact, two in five drivers in the UK hold up their hands to throwing general litter from the car window when they are driving and one in six admit to emptying their car’s ashtray onto the road or verge.

Half of those questioned admitted to having thrown biodegradable rubbish, such as apple cores out of the window. And some drivers would never litter under any circumstances.

Ginette Unsworth, Senior Marketing Manager, Keep Britain Tidy said “There is no excuse for throwing rubbish out of your car. Whether it is a drinks carton or an apple core, all litterers run the risk of incurring a fine. People should keep it in their vehicle until they get to their destination and then put the rubbish where it belongs – in the bin.”
In fact, some drivers never move the rubbish from their car at all. Nearly a quarter of drivers’ cars are so crammed full of rubbish, they’re in danger of becoming mobile rubbish bins.

Almost half of drivers, who are anti-littering, are also happy to accept the role of morality police. Two in five are happy to beep their horn at drivers who have dumped litter out of their cars, whilst the remainder simply turn a blind eye. Morally is it right to ignore a small crime?

Paul Cosh, managing director for www.motorinsurance.co.uk, says:

“The act of throwing litter away without caring shows lack of respect for others, low self-esteem and is a likely indication that they live like pigs at home!

“But the people who turn a blind eye are just as guilty. If dropping litter is acceptable today who knows where we’ll be tomorrow?

“I think it’s quite right that you can be fined up to £2,500 for littering.”

Notes to editors

Permission is not required to create direct links to www.motorinsurance.co.uk

www.motorinsurance.co.uk, operated by Hero Insurance Services Limited, uses a panel of more than 30 well-known insurers, including AXA, Fortis, Highway, Norwich Union and Zurich, so it can offer its customers some of the UK’s best value motor insurance policies.

It’s quick and easy to complete application form has been specially designed to provide insurers with the details they need to give the best quotes possible.

So, www.motorinsurance.co.uk customers do not have to spend hours in front of their computers filling out form after form, yet still get a great deal on their motor insurance. Contact:

Anna Shackleton
McCann Erickson PR
0121 713 3780
anna.shackleton@europe.mccann.com

David Wall
McCann Erickson PR
0121 713 3626
david.wall@europe.mccann.com