Litter throwing and spitting lands hundreds of motorists with fines and points

Dubai traffic cops have dished out hundreds of fines to motorists this year for dropping litter – including cigarette butts - and spitting, UAE daily 7Days reported on Tuesday.  A new report revealed that 700 people were booked in 2013 for the two offences, landing them with four black points on their licences and a AED 500 ($136) fine.

Fines were handed out on the spot, General Mohammed Saif Al Zafeen, head of Dubai Traffic Police said. Now he has called on people in the Emirate to report anyone they see committing these offences, the report added.

RISK OF FIRE

He added: “There have been 700 offences this year for people throwing garbage and cigarettes out of car windows and even spitting out of vehicles. This is forbidden by the traffic law.”

“Many people don’t know the danger involved in this behaviour. Many accidents can happen because of garbage hitting and damaging windows. Even throwing a cigarette might cause a fire if it lands on an area covered in fuel or oil.”

DRIVER'S RESPONSIBILITY

He said he had even issued fines for these offences, the newspaper reported. And he said such acts were not ‘civilised behaviour’.

Al Zafeen said: “We won’t be easy on anyone who is not committed to keeping our city clean,”

In a stark warning to drivers he added it was their responsibility to ensure passengers did not act in an antisocial way.