Zambia starts arresting drivers for throwing rubbish from vehicles

LUSAKA, Jan. 3 (Xinhua) -- Authorities in Zambia have started arresting drivers for throwing rubbish as part of efforts to ensure effective management of wastes, its road transport and safety agency said on Wednesday.

The Road Transport and Safety Agency (RTSA) has since warned drivers to stop the habit of throwing rubbish from their vehicles as the country tries to contain a cholera outbreak in the capital city.

"It is against the Road Traffic Act for any person to throw articles from a vehicle," the agency said in a statement.

It added that drivers found throwing rubbish will be liable to a fine of 300 Zambian kwacha (about 30 U.S. dollars) or sentenced to three months simple imprisonment upon conviction or both.

The law prohibiting throwing or rubbish out of a vehicle was enacted in 2002 but has not been implemented.

The road safety agency has since urged members of the general public to report motorists violating the law through a toll free line which has been created.

Some residents of Lusaka, the country's capital, have since decided to launch a "Name and Shame" campaign in which they are taking photographs of any vehicle whose driver is found throwing rubbish and posting it on social media. Enditem