November 23rd 2024.
Recently in country Victoria, a man made a costly mistake that should serve as a cautionary tale for all. The state's Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) has issued a statement emphasizing the severity of the situation and urging others to take heed.
According to a witness, on June 7, 2023, a man driving a Toyota Camry on the Hume Freeway at Barnawartha North carelessly discarded a lit cigarette butt. The witness was shocked as they watched the burning cigarette bounce off the bonnet of their own vehicle. This reckless act did not go unnoticed by EPA Victoria.
The man was soon charged with unlawfully depositing dangerous litter and was due to appear at Wodonga Magistrates' Court. However, he failed to show up on his scheduled court date earlier this week. As a result, the magistrate found him guilty and imposed a fine of $740, along with an additional $93 in costs to be paid to the authority.
While this incident may have occurred in 2023, EPA Victoria stresses that it is still relevant and serves as a warning to all, especially as the state enters its hotter months. The consequences of throwing a lit cigarette from a car during summer could be catastrophic, particularly in areas with native bush like the Hume Freeway at Barnawartha North.
In fact, according to Clean Up Australia, cigarette butts are the most commonly littered item on the planet. Shockingly, an estimated 8.9 billion cigarette butts are tossed each year in Australia alone, and it takes approximately 14 years for each one to decompose. This is a concerning statistic that highlights the need for individuals to take responsibility for their actions and properly dispose of their cigarette butts. Let this man's mistake be a lesson for all to be more mindful and considerate of our environment.
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