No butts: Police are taking a dim view of drivers posing a bushfire risk. Picture: Rob Homer
THROWING your cigarette butt out the window of a car is a thoughtless and selfish act, says Senior Sergeant Phil Edmunds.
The Knox police officer said the station received several calls about people driving with an arm out the window, smoking or flicking ash off their cigarette.
Senior Sergeant Edmunds said he and his officers were adopting a zero tolerance approach to the offence.
"People think that because it's in a built-up area it doesn't matter, but it [a cigarette] can land somewhere and get out of control. You will be stopped and spoken to. I have told my officers to show no mercy."
His comments came as bushfires interstate and in country Victoria threaten entire communities.
Senior Sergeant Edmunds urged road users to record the car registration and call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 if they witnessed someone throwing their butt away.
"You can smoke, that's fine — just don't wind down your window, because it can cause so much destruction, especially at this time of year."