Italy Introduces Fines up to RM88,000 for Littering from Vehicle
The author recently visited a waterfall in Hulu Langat and found the area and the roadside littered with trash such as water bottles, plastic cups, food wrappers, cigarette butts, disposable diapers, and more. In fact, the stench of garbage hit our noses as soon as we opened the car door. It was disgusting and shameful.
However, this issue also occurs in several other countries, including Italy. As a result, the Italian government has taken steps to enforce a new law where offenders who litter from their vehicles can be fined up to €18,000 (approximately RM88,464.96).
This law applies regardless of whether the offender discards waste from a moving or stationary vehicle.
Furthermore, an offenders may also have his driver’s license revoked and/or face imprisonment if caught littering in natural reserves or other protected areas.
Italy had previously imposed fines of up to €1,188 (around RM8,843) for discarding items such as tissues, plastic bottles, and cigarette butts.
Offenders no longer need to be caught in the act or stopped by the police, as surveillance camera footage is now sufficient evidence for prosecution.
Litter is often carelessly tossed onto Italy’s roads, whether in urban areas, village streets, or highways. Even some roads in tourist hotspots end up looking like garbage dumps.
The new regulations also apply to foreign tourists.
For comparison, in Malaysia, fines ranging from RM2,000 to RM10,000 can be imposed on those caught littering. Courts may also order offenders to perform community service. However, enforcement remains weak here, compounded by the mentality of some individuals who have no qualms about littering indiscriminately.
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