Car expertIt seems so innocent: eating an apple behind the wheel and throwing the rest on the side of the road for the birds. But is this really allowed, asks reader Laura van Leeuwen. Our auto expert Nick Schenk has the answer.
I ask: “After I ate an apple in the car this week, I threw the core through the car window on the side of the road. I thought it was going back to nature. But is this allowed?
Auto editor Niek Schenk answers: ‘No this is not allowed. The law clearly states that you may not leave waste where it does not belong. There is no difference between fruit or other waste. You can get a fine for this.
Of course, it varies to what extent it burdens the environment. An apple won’t last long, but a banana peel, for example, takes two years to naturally decompose. The cigarette butt stays there forever.
You chose the side of the road. This may seem like a more responsible place to be than just throwing leftover fruit anywhere on the street or on the road, but if you leave leftovers in places close to traffic, animals will look for them and get used to the fact that they can find food. Next to car traffic. This could lead to more animals being killed, which is already a problem.
Moreover, sometimes you see motorists throwing something out the window in the middle of the road, among other traffic. Such an action can be quite dangerous for road safety. Burning ass or hamburger wrapping: Other road users may brake out of fear or make a steering error, with all the ensuing consequences. In short, it’s best to keep everything with you in the car and wait until you reach the trash can.’
Our automotive editor Niek Schenk answers readers’ questions every week. Email your question to [email protected]
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