Earlier This Year – Michigan Woman Fined for Throwing Cigarette Out of Window
As we look back at popular Michigan stories from 2022, this one got a lot of attention. We heard from so many people on both sides of this discussion.
I bet most smokers don't even think twice or even feel the slightest bit of guilt after tossing their finished cigarette out their vehicle window. I don't know why but it really bothers me every time that I see it happen. Littering in general drives me nuts.
According to The Oakland County Press, a Michigan woman got hit with a $75 littering fine after she was spotted flicking a cigarette out her window while traveling through Independence Townshipback in April of this year.
In Clarkston’s 52-2 District Court, Judge Joseph Fabrizio told the woman it was a hard lesson to learn and that she needs to get a proper receptacle for those cigarette butts in the future. She told the judge that she already went out and got one.
You might be thinking, who really cares? While most people probably don't, I just find it interesting because I think this is the first I've heard of someone actually getting busted for throwing a cigarette butt out of their vehicle window.
I think it's really a waste of time for officers to pop somebody for this. I mean, are you really going to make an impact on cigarette butt littering by only busting a few people here and there? I don't think so.
The other day I watched someone literally open their car door and kick all their trash out onto the ground while they were driving. What kind of a lowlife person does this? I can't even begin to tell you how angry this made me. Those are the people we really need to go after.
After posting this story, I heard from so many people that got busted for the exact same thing this including this woman:
Hey I just read your article on a mi woman getting fined for throwing a cig butt out her window. My attorney/friend sent it to me...approx 6yrs ago while driving nb on 1275 in Romulus I got a similar ticket. However I also got a misdemeanor!!! A $250 fine and a misdemeanor! Can you believe that nonsense! I could've fought it but why bother? I was 48 at the time and figured I'd pay my fine buy an ashtray for my car. Lesson learned and get over it. But yes she's not the only 1. Thanks for your time.