With roadside litter an escalating problem throughout the state- now  over 60,000 cubic yards collected per year- The Arkansas State Highway and Transportation Department (AHTD) has announced a new Violator Reporting System and 24-hour, toll-free hotline to ask for motorist assistance in helping solve the problem.  After the December 14^th launch, Highway officials are encouraging motorists who spot a littering violation along any street, road or highway to call 1-866-811-1222 to report the situation.  All types of trash and all types of vehicles are subject to be reported, whether a cigarette butt or whether thrown from a commercial vehicle, as long as the license plate number is provided. 

 Litter reporting phone calls to 1-866-811-1222 will be answered 24 hours a day by an office of the Arkansas Highway Police (AHP) who will record the incident.  A letter will then be sent to the registered owner of the vehicle regarding the violation. “Information about recurring violations reported from the same vehicle will be tracked and may eventually result in a visit by an Arkansas police officer to investigate the problem,” said AHP Chief Ron Burks.  “Our goal is to let citizens know this is a problem we take seriously and will pursue thoroughly the enforcement of Arkansas’ litter laws,” added Burks.

 Reporting a litter violation to 1-866-811-1222 will be quick and simple, while allowing the caller to remain unidentified.  Motorists using the reporting system will need to provide the date and location that the littering occurred, a description of the vehicle including the license plate number and a description of the item discarded onto the roadway.  Roadway signs currently in place to forewarn motorists of potential fines for littering will now include the toll-free number asking motorists to report people who litter.

 “We expect three benefits by implementing the new Litter Reporting System,” said Director of Highways & Transportation, Dan Flowers, at a launch event held at the AHTD Central Offices.  “Motorists who see the signs or become aware of the program will be reminded that they can be reported for littering by any other motorist and, then, may be more conscious of their own littering behavior.  Second, the program will give citizens who see littering happen some remedy to the frustration of watching careless motorists trash the natural beauty of our state, and third, we hope that any person who receives the letter will be more thoughtful of their littering habits and will change their behavior.”  

 “Currently there are eight other states that have implemented similar Violator Reporting Systems with great success, so it’s time for Arkansas to begin a serious effort to curtail this escalating problem,” said Highway Commission Chairman, Prissy Hickerson.  “Not only will a reduction in roadside litter improve the enjoyment of residents and visitors who travel our highways, but it’s a great preservation of our natural environment and will save taxpayer money being spent on cleaning up the discarded trash of careless motorists,” added Hickerson. 

The AHTD’s Violator Reporting System is part of a comprehensive plan to curtail roadside litter in Arkansas.  At the request of the Arkansas Highway Commission, the 2003 Litter Task Force was formed from federal, state and local governments and associations to review current litter prevention and removal activities and identify areas of improvement.  Action teams were then established to focus on the areas of education and outreach, litter pick up, enforcement and legislative funding.  In addition to the AHTD spearheading the litter reduction effort, representatives from associations and state agencies such as the Highway Police, Arkansas State Police (ASP), Chiefs of Police & Sheriffs Associations, the Departments of Environmental Quality and Parks & Tourism, Game & Fish Commission and the Keep Arkansas Beautiful Commission have diligently worked together to solve Arkansas’ litter control problem.

 Additional programs and policies are still in development as a result of the Litter Task Force efforts to create incentives for litter enforcement and clean up activities.  A recognition program for law enforcement officers who are highly involved in anti-litter efforts, a program for corrections facilities that utilize prisoners in highway clean up efforts and highly publicized enforcement priority weeks will greatly raise the level of litter control action across Arkansas.  Also, an anti-litter citation guide is being distributed for easy reference by law enforcement officers, ASP will include litter laws on the inside cover of the Arkansas Drivers Manual and The Arkansas Law Enforcement Training Academy will include a section on litter law enforcement in their training curricula.

 For additional information about the AHTD’s 1-866-811-1222 Litter Reporting Hotline, motorists may contact the AHTD Public Affairs Office, Monday through Friday between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. at (501) 569-2227 or send an email to info@arkansashighways.com.  To find out more about participating in community-based anti-litter programs, citizens may contact the Keep Arkansas Beautiful Commission at 1-888-742-8701 or visit their website at www.KeepArkansasBeautiful.com.   

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