Tough new penalties for people throwing a lit cigarette butt out of a car window come into force on Friday.
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From Friday people caught flicking a butt will be hit with five demerit points - the first time it has attracted a demerit point penalty.
If they do it during a total fire ban that will double to 10 points - and they'll also be hit with a fine as high as $11,000.
Passengers dropping a lit butt out the window will be fined $660, doubling during a total fire ban.
"This reckless behaviour puts the safety of firefighting volunteers at risk," said NSW Rural Fire Service association president Brian McDonough.
"I hope this move makes people think very carefully about the consequences of their actions next time they go to discard a lit cigarette."
Glen Humphries
I'm an award-winning senior journalist with the Illawarra Mercury and have well over two decades' worth of experience in newspapers. I cover the three local councils in the Illawarra for the Mercury, state and federal politics, as well as writing for the TV guide. If I'm not writing, I'm reading.
I'm an award-winning senior journalist with the Illawarra Mercury and have well over two decades' worth of experience in newspapers. I cover the three local councils in the Illawarra for the Mercury, state and federal politics, as well as writing for the TV guide. If I'm not writing, I'm reading.
