Two Lancashire boroughs named amongst the worst in the UK for car littering
Two boroughs in Lancashire have been named amongst the worst in the country for car littering.
Nationally, fines for littering from vehicles have increased by over 495% since 2020, according to new research from cinch, the UK's biggest online used car retailer.
Freedom of Information (FOI) data obtained from local councils shows that the number of penalties issued to drivers surged from 445 in 2020 to more than 2,600 in 2024, as authorities cracked down on drivers and passengers throwing rubbish out of their cars.
As part of its research, Cinch has also named the areas which gave out the biggest number of fines to people littering from the car - and two towns in Lancashire feature.
Which Lancashire boroughs are considered vehicle littering hotspots?
Both Blackpool and Blackburn with Darwen have ranked among the UK’s worst areas for vehicle littering.
Coming in as the fourth worst area in the country, Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council has handed out 374 fines for littering from cars since 2020.
Across the same period, Blackpool Borough Council has handed out 260 fines, making it the fifth worst area for vehicle littering.
Where else is bad for vehicle littering?
The UK’s Vehicle Littering Hotspots (2020-2025):
- Bradford City Council (Yorkshire) – 6,280
- Wigan Metropolitan Borough Council (North West) – 571
- North Lincolnshire Council (East Midlands) – 480
- Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council (North West) – 374
- Blackpool Borough Council (North West) – 260
What does the law say?
Rule 147 of the Highway Code is clear: "You MUST NOT throw anything out of a vehicle, including food and food packaging, cigarette ends, cans, bottles or paper." Doing so is classed as littering under the Environmental Protection Act 1990.
Since 2018, councils have had the power to issue fixed penalty notices of up to £500, with liability falling on the registered keeper of the vehicle, even if a passenger was responsible.
What has been said about the findings?
Ben Welham, motoring expert at cinch, said, "The findings show that local authorities across Yorkshire, the North West and East Midlands have been working hard to clamp down on people throwing rubbish out of their vehicle windows.
“Bradford's 6,280 fines tower above other authorities' efforts. The council’s pioneering use of CCTV near fast food hotspots has helped it issue nearly £1 million in fines over the last few years.”
How much are people getting fined?
Although enforcement is the rise in enforcement, councils are showing some restraint with the penalties they charge for littering. The study found most fines recorded by local authorities were capped between £100 and £150, averaging £137.
Despite all councils being able to issue a fine of up to £500 by law, Buckinghamshire Council recorded the only case of a driver being hit with the maximum fine.
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Is it a growing problem?
Fines across the country have more than quadrupled since 2020, with 2025 on track to beat 2024's record numbers.
- 2020: 445 fines – an estimated revenue of up to £61,130
- 2021: 881 fines - £121,022
- 2022: 1,245 fines - £171,025
- 2023: 2,168 fines - £297,818
- 2024: 2,659 fines - £365,266
- 2025 to date: 1,942 fines - £266,772 (as of August 2025)
Councils have issued an average of 243 fines per month so far in 2025, compared to 221 per month in 2024 - meaning if current trends continue, fines for vehicle littering are on track to reach an all-time high by the end of the yar, exceeding 2,900.