Littler Hotline for Cig Chuckers: 1-888-554-8837

[Mike 01Hawk]

This is kinda a pet peeve of mine, having a burn mark in my interior from someone's thrown out burning cig tends to do that.

Anyway, searched and didn't see a post about it.  Makes for a good way to pass the boredom on the commute. (And yes, I realize the irony in sending out more 'trash' ie. postcard [] )

Oh, and I guess this isn't just for highways, I've called em up w/ people throwing cigs on the city streets as well.

http://www.okladot.state.ok.us/public-info/beauty/hotline.htm

"Statewide toll-free number 1-888-5-LITTER (or 1-888-554-8837)

In July 1997, the Oklahoma Department of Transportation, Beautification Office began the Litter Hotline program. They established a toll-free number for Oklahomans to call and report highway littering incidents. Based on the information given by the callers, the owner of the car is sent a notice explaining that someone was seen littering from their car and asking them to join our effort to keep our state roadsides attractive. The postcard is NOT a citation or a ticket, but simply a reminder that highway littering is illegal and costs our state $4 million each year. ODOT does not keep a record of postcards sent and the information submitted by hotline callers is not released to individuals, organizations or agencies. The postcard is the only result of a litter hotline call.

The hotline has become very popular statewide, with the number of calls increasing during the spring and summer months. Callers must be able to provide:

   * the license plate number
   * a description of the vehicle
   * the time and location of the incident, including the town
   * the type of litter (i.e. cigarette butt, paper, etc.)

Without these pieces of information ODOT cannot send the postcard to the litterer."

[RecycleMichael]

I am with you Hawk.

I was around when this program started and it has been successful.

Our goal was just to give people an outlet to complain about littering and hope that a simple postcard would sometimes change their behavior.

We don't know how effective the postcards are (some people probably throw them out of their car windows just to spite us). There have been times when somebody will call and demand that ODOT take their vehicle off "the list" because they would never litter; it was just their enemies that turned them in. Other times it has been a parent of a teenager who thanks ODOT for letting them know that somebody threw out beer cans from the vehicle registered in their name.

1 888 5 LITTER...I have used the number often.

My world is not your trash can.

[jdb]

Would be a fine day indeed, when all the roadway clean up crew's had to pick up was those pesky cigarette butts.

As I ride a motorbike, I am rather unpleased when the car in front of me tosses out a burning butt. However, I have no use for  number to call: I confront the issue right there on the spot.

"Postcard" in the mail? yeah right.
jdb

[jamesrage]

So the only thing this program does is send a measly post card?Yeah I am sure every inconsiderate **** out there is shaking in their boots and praying to God that they do not get a measly post card.

[inteller]

um, isnt a postcard in the mail in someways considered littering?

[RecycleMichael]

You guys are real purists.

The goal is to be polite and ask them to stop.

There are laws on the books against littering, but enforcement is difficult and the police do have more important work to do most of the time.

I think a polite postcard is a very civil way to begin a discussion about their littering, but it is not the only step.

[jdb]

"...begin a discussion about their littering, but it is not the only step." - recycle

Still, I prefer sending out the knuckle sandwhich.

jdb

BTW, and fire threat aside, how many itty bitty, biodegrading, butt ends does it take to equal one roadside styro cup?

[carltonplace]

Can we send this post card to Walmart, QT and McD's? The QT at 15th and Denver is the propagator of (directly and indirectly) lots of litter. It would be nice to go for a stroll without a trashbag.