EricB

First of all I want to extend my sympathy to the families of the Columbia disaster & USA in general, crazy world man. read on

&I hope I'm note alone here:

Yr driving along & somebody in front of U throws a cigarette butt out his/her window. Worse yet your sitting at a stoplight & the same thing happens except it lands on your hood only to sit there & kill your paint! No amount of honking will save U. I'm actually going to talk to the local bacon here in Canada to see WTF I can do about this.

Ways I see to deal with these people - face to face & sum it up to them:

1. Confront the user & mention throwing burning trash on the road is not only one of the more stupidest things U can do but it probably causes 99% of the road side forest fires out there.
2. Remind them that if U ever take up smoking U'd be more than happy to flip Ur used *** on their property.
3. If all else fails do what they teach you in those Catholic birth control classes, and pull out.

'nuff said

please advise if anybody has a solution to this rather freakish behaviour...

Mr Michael B

I was in my friends car once, in the back seat (years ago).

A butt landed on the fender of his Dodge from a neighboring car as we were sitting at a long light...

I was pretty amazed that someone would do that...

I decided that every action should result in an equal but opposite reaction.

I jumped out of the back, walked over to the glowing butt, picked it off the fender, then walked over to the dip wad who flicked it... Then, after getting his little attention span to focus on me for a minute, I proceeded to put it out in my hand by grinding it in my palm (saw that at a bar once). After it was extinguished, I reached in his window and spilt the remains onto his lap.

You might want to try that next time.

I think this little guy quit smoking after he met me. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Wink]" src="wink.gif" />

* All references to people and places are fictional. Any similarities to actual real-life events are purely coincidental.

milrad

I had this happen while I was waiting at a light on my Ducati. It bounced off my fuel tank. I put down my sidestand (before the days of sidestand ignition cut-offs), picked up the smoldering butt, and tossed it through the offenders open window and into his lap. I had plenty of time to get back on my bike and leave as he tried to get the burning butt away from his sensitive parts. I hope it put a hole in his seat.

Probably wasn't the brightest move, but it made me feel better. Maybe it taught him a lesson too.

Jason

Terry Adams

Starting from a smoldering back seat where a flicked butt re-entered the vehicle, I once watched a late model Cadillac go up in flames. I know I shouldn't, but sometimes I wish for this retribution every time I see it happen.

Matt Vaughan

I completely understand where you're coming from, as it directly affects our P-cars. For me, it's more of an environmental thing. I get very angry when I see someone BLATANTLY POLLUTING our planet. It's really amazing how much trash can be accounted for along side our roadways, particularly cigarette butts.

Also, confrontation may get you into some real trouble one day. Saying that, I would avoid it if at all possible.

Paul M

I find it incredible that some smokers don't realize that their inconspicuous butts <img border="0" title="" alt="[Wink]" src="wink.gif" /> are trash. And have you ever noticed how filthy the areas where smokers congregate outside buildings can become... Ugh!

<a href="http://www.kab.org/littercigs.htm" target="_blank">Cigarette Litter</a>

I also love those altruistic individuals that use empty bottles and cans to dispose of their butts at parties. That is definitely one of the highlights of clearing up the next day.

It's a pity that smoking and driving isn't treated the same as DUI and cellphones... Imagine stopping at a light with a gallon of cheap beer in your bladder, and relieving yourself on the hood or trunk of the vehicle stopped next to you? <img border="0" alt="[cherrsagai]" title="" src="graemlins/drink.gif" /> <img border="0" alt="[nono]" title="" src="graemlins/nono.gif" />

Phil

Paul,
I would never drink cheap beer!

I smoke!(never in the car) only at work, outside! and outside the house!

If you have the alleged "altrustic" individuals that smoke at your house, maybe you could provide ashtrays?

RSAErick

I'm surprised too at the number of people who don't consider their cigarette butts as trash or litter. Of course, they don't want to admit that it's a serious source of air pollution too. <img border="0" alt="[grrrrrrr]" title="" src="graemlins/cussing.gif" />

I get the impression that smokers generally don't think about others very often - as they consider this planet, and the people who live on it, their personal trash can/ash tray. This selfish attitude may be a subconscious defense mechanism -probably saving most smokers the feelings of guilt that would typically be bombarding a conscience.

So instead of getting mad at them, maybe we should feel sorry for them...

Phil

</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Arial,Helvetica,Geneva">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Arial,Helvetica,Geneva">Originally posted by RSAErick:
<strong>I'm surprised too at the number of people who don't consider their cigarette butts as trash or litter. Of course, they don't want to admit that it's a serious source of air pollution too. <img border="0" alt="[grrrrrrr]" title="" src="graemlins/cussing.gif" />

I get the impression that smokers generally don't think about others very often - as they consider this planet, and the people who live on it, their personal trash can/ash tray. This selfish attitude may be a subconscious defense mechanism -probably saving most smokers the feelings of guilt that would typically be bombarding a conscience.

So instead of getting mad at them, maybe we should feel sorry for them... </strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Arial,Helvetica,Geneva">If it makes you feel better, I have always felt sorry for VW Diesel owners!....oh wait....you own a "DIESEL"..can that thing pass a smog test?

Not to get into a flame war, or contest, But I always get a tickle.....when I hear about "the bad smokers" or the "bad polluters" then I see a Diesel in the stable of cars!...GIve me a break, are you related to Arriana Huffington?...oh wait, her ex husband (source of her income) was an Oil man!

Give me a break!

Michael Elmore

The thing I simply cannot fathom is why smokers in cars throw their butts out the window. Correct me if I'm wrong, but doesn't EVERY automobile made in the world have an ash tray?

RSAErick

</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Arial,Helvetica,Geneva">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Arial,Helvetica,Geneva">Originally posted by Phil McGrath:
<strong> If it makes you feel better, I have always felt sorry for VW Diesel owners!....oh wait....you own a "DIESEL"..can that thing pass a smog test?
</strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Arial,Helvetica,Geneva">Trust me Phil, you'd feel more sorry for me if you SAW or heard my Diesel. It's pretty laughable - especially with the license plate holder that I got for X-mas: "My other car is a Porsche. No, really!"

Anyway, I hear what you're saying about diesels. I have been reading lately that they release many more "particulates" into the air than gas engines, despite being more efficient! That concerns me, despite the fact that it easily passes smog tests. But at 43mpg in the city, and 47mpg on the highway, it doesn't burn much fuel.

Regardless, you do bring up a good point about our perception of the "bad smokers" or "bad polluters" in the world. As car enthusiasts, we are taking part in a hobby that isn't exactly friendly to the environment. In that respect, we are ALL treating this planet like an ashtray.

And to think that I actually considered myself "environmentally friendly"! This is a good reminder of how easy it is for me to overlook all of the damage that I do to the environment, while at the same time being outraged by smokers who belligerently blow smoke in my face and throw their cigarettes out their windows.

So, Phil, your point is well taken. And I apologize for coming across as someone who is "above" smokers when it comes to the environment.

<img border="0" alt="[soapbox]" title="" src="graemlins/soapbox.gif" /> I will try harder to remember that as an offender, I will need to work harder to minimize my trail of debris and to clean up after myself - whether through recycling, car-pooling, or driving an environmentally-friendly car.

Now, maybe we could convince the smokers in this group to pleeeeaaaaase not throw your cigarette butts on the ground. Thank you.

Phil

</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Arial,Helvetica,Geneva">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Arial,Helvetica,Geneva">Originally posted by RSAErick:
<strong> </font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Arial,Helvetica,Geneva">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Arial,Helvetica,Geneva">Originally posted by Phil McGrath:
<strong> If it makes you feel better, I have always felt sorry for VW Diesel owners!....oh wait....you own a "DIESEL"..can that thing pass a smog test?
</strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Arial,Helvetica,Geneva">Trust me Phil, you'd feel more sorry for me if you SAW or heard my Diesel. It's pretty laughable - especially with the license plate holder that I got for X-mas: "My other car is a Porsche. No, really!"

Anyway, I hear what you're saying about diesels. I have been reading lately that they release many more "particulates" into the air than gas engines, despite being more efficient! That concerns me, despite the fact that it easily passes smog tests. But at 43mpg in the city, and 47mpg on the highway, it doesn't burn much fuel.

Regardless, you do bring up a good point about our perception of the "bad smokers" or "bad polluters" in the world. As car enthusiasts, we are taking part in a hobby that isn't exactly friendly to the environment. In that respect, we are ALL treating this planet like an ashtray.

And to think that I actually considered myself "environmentally friendly"! This is a good reminder of how easy it is for me to overlook all of the damage that I do to the environment, while at the same time being outraged by smokers who belligerently blow smoke in my face and throw their cigarettes out their windows.

So, Phil, your point is well taken. And I apologize for coming across as someone who is "above" smokers when it comes to the environment.

<img border="0" alt="[soapbox]" title="" src="graemlins/soapbox.gif" /> I will try harder to remember that as an offender, I will need to work harder to minimize my trail of debris and to clean up after myself - whether through recycling, car-pooling, or driving an environmentally-friendly car.

Now, maybe we could convince the smokers in this group to pleeeeaaaaase not throw your cigarette butts on the ground. Thank you.</strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Arial,Helvetica,Geneva">Erik,
I hope you did not take my post has rude.

I am Guilty has charged with regards to cig butts on the ground.

I have Never "flicked" out the window, regardless of which car I may be in, and has you can see I have quite the stable of cars

and for what its worth my "sister-in-law" <img border="0" title="" alt="[Wink]" src="wink.gif" /> has a diesel GMC(hmmmm)

STLPCA

</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Arial,Helvetica,Geneva">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Arial,Helvetica,Geneva">Originally posted by Phil McGrath:
Erik,
I hope you did not take my post has rude.

I am Guilty has charged with regards to cig butts on the ground.

I have Never "flicked" out the window, regardless of which car I may be in, and has you can see I have quite the stable of cars</font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Arial,Helvetica,Geneva">Phil
I see you're overstocked with Hs. Must be leftovers from your Have a Happy, Happy Holiday sellathon

SoCal-CJ (993S)

Funny I should read this tonight, I was in my first extended freeway session in my new car tonight, and some di*k face in a ford probe flicked a butt, sparking on the ground and hitting my front spoiler/bumper.
You remember how protective you were when your 993 was new?
I just picked my car up on Friday, and my first thought was "I wish we were at a stoplight right now, I would throw a penny at his car and see how it felt" (non smoker)
Seeing as how we were on the freeway I had no recourse, but no matter how mild the situation, I never respond well to flickers.

Every Car in the world does have an ashtray.

EricB

Cool, am glad to see I'm not alone here...

Erik - I'm on yr side. There might indeed be a deeper self-defence mechanism at work here...
Aside from the fact that the car is going to pollute nyway; it is a oil pumper.... I feel in most urban centers once the engine reaches op. temp. its emissions are no worse than the surrounding smog. Modern cars with (ULEV) & (SULEV) ratings help out here, with substantially cleaner air going out than coming in!

I just heard back from our local community bacon office today. Here's the brief run down:
____________

District Inspector:

Hope U can help out & answer a simple question. I'm driving around town & often run into people throwing cigarette butts out the car window. While I find this behaviour rather abhorrent it does not compare to what happened to me recently. While stopped a traffic light the passenger in the vehicle ahead of me tossed his burning cigarette out the window onto my hood, after I seriously restrain myself from confrontation; I'm left wondering how I'm going to explain the minor paint damage to my insurance company?

Can U offer any suggestions on ways to deal this the next time it happens? Are their policies in place to charge these individuals? If so, how to report? Does this fall under misdemeanour destruction of property? or simple littering charges?

PEACE,


EricB

his relpy ~1 hour later! -

Eric,

Thank you for the question. In this case the offence involved would be
littering. Section 180 of the Highway Traffic Act makes it an offence to
throw, or cause to be deposited any rubbish or waste, along, or adjacent to
a highway. The fine is $ 110.

In order to prove a charge of Mischief ( Damage to property ) under the
Criminal Code, it must be shown that there was an intent to purposely cause
damage. In this case that can't be done.

As for the reporting of the matter, police will take a report of the
incident via telephone. We will then contact the registered owner of the car
and advise them of the particulars of the incident and explain the relevant
Traffic Act section. However, we do not have the resources to followup every
incident with a charge.

Sgt. XXXX XXXXX
West Division Traffic Enforcement