Littering

[Nellie]

What is the general law regarding littering in the state? My kids ask me questions like:

1. It it ok to throw ice or water out the window?
2. Can you spit sunflower seed shells out the window?
3. If your window is open and something gets sucked out, is it littering?

I heard that "water and chicken feathers" were the only thing that could be "expelled" from a vehicle and not be considered littering. Is this true?

I know I could have looked this up, but since this is a new forum, and nobody has posted here, I figured I'd start a topic.

[SB 405]

Now are you guys going to tell me the CHP has Officers on patrol that know about the water and chicken feathers law?

[Darth Choke]

Now are you guys going to tell me the CHP has Officers on patrol that know about the water and chicken feathers law?

Quite frankly sir, I am offended! http://instagiber.net/smiliesdotcom/contrib/AoErat/awink.gif

23114 (a)VC -Spilling load, other than clear water and feathers from live birds.

So they can't be DEAD chickens either!!!!!!!

Is it okay to throw ANYTHING out your window? Absolutely not. Will you get cited for it? Possibly. This law is written for trucks and such that are transporting goods or services. Not for people throwing something out the window. What IF you threw a chunk of ice out the window, it hits a guy behind you in a convertible. He is struck in the head from a piece of ice while traveling 60 mph and cuts him (or even gives him a non visible injury). Guess what.....felony.

Could it happen? VERRRRRY unlikely. But it could.

Would an officer cite you for something being sucked out your window or dropped from the back of your truck, etc...
Probably not - its about intent. But negligence could get you a ticket as well.

Nothing can be thrown from a moving car. Not a kleenex, gum, cigarette, puppy, pony, or mother-in-law.

[Mac]

I really think that "mother-in-law" part should be reconsidered, Darth. :smile:

SB405 - yep, the Officers on patrol know about that law....and if you're transporting live and dead chickens together, they'll be checking your load to make sure the feathers came from the live ones (LOL). Seriously though - as Darth said, nothing can legally be thrown out of a car window....even sunflower seeds.

[dw]

In fact, this is a current campaign the Department is participating in...

http://www.donttrashcalifornia.info/

[Your Mentor]

Our officers know that law very well; as well as many others. Our CHP cadets receive over 80 hours of Vehicle Code training whereas all other California POST academies spend less than 20. Once in the field, officers spend 8 hours a day dealing with the Vehicle Code for the remainder of their careers.

[MCS 1 Stumpy]

We were reminded of that law in Commercial Level 1 training, Incidently while I was training at Rainbow we had an escapee from a chicken truck. He was struttong around the scale naked as a .... well he had no feathers, it was quite comical.

[SB 405]

I witnessed something yesterday that really kind of pissed me off. Let me set this up a little...my office window over looks the 405 frwy. and the Rosecrans exit runs right below my window. So, I'm talking on the phone and notice one of these rental trucks from The Home Depot exit the freeway. I then watch as a guy in the passanger seat throws a large trash bag (talking Hefty Garden Size) out the flippin' window while these guys are still rollin' at about 25mph. Not an empty bag mind you but a bag full of what looked to be small pieces of drywall. I just don't understand what some people are thinking at times. And to be honest the first thought that came into my head was.."Nice,you S.O.B"

[Your Mentor]

That kind of conduct burns everyone. I had a trucker flick a cigarette out his window. It hit the hood of my 88 Caprice (okay it's been a while), roll up the hood and rest across the driver side wiper blade. It was still lit. Beauty. When I stopped him he had the nerve to say, "But I don't smoke." No one else was in the cab. I asked him to walk over to my patrol car and pointed to the lit cigarette. All he could do was look down at his feet.

I don't imagine you have a good enough view from your office window to get license plates but you could have called that in. It would have received low priority in the city though. Out in the sticks it would have turned into a manhunt. Or you could just say to yourself, "Where is a cop when you need one?":biggrin:shock:ubt:

[SB 405]

Don't think I didn't make an effort to get the plate number,problem is I'm on the 4th floor and couldn't see it.

[slowfiveoh]

Don't think I didn't make an effort to get the plate number,problem is I'm on the 4th floor and couldn't see it.

Help your local law enforcement,....get binoculars. :lol: :cool: