What are the penalties for throwing objects out of car windows at traffic lights?
2 Answers
Penalties for throwing objects out of car windows are as follows: 1. Article 66 of the Road Traffic Safety Law stipulates: Passengers shall not carry dangerous items such as flammable or explosive materials, shall not throw objects out of the vehicle, and shall not engage in any behavior that affects the driver's safe operation of the vehicle. 2. Article 89 stipulates: Pedestrians, passengers, or non-motor vehicle drivers who violate the road traffic safety laws and regulations regarding road traffic rules shall be given a warning or fined between 5 and 50 yuan; if a non-motor vehicle driver refuses to accept the fine, their non-motor vehicle may be impounded. 3. Article 90 stipulates: Motor vehicle drivers who violate the road traffic safety laws and regulations regarding road traffic rules shall be given a warning or fined between 20 and 200 yuan. If there are other provisions in this law, penalties shall be imposed in accordance with those provisions.
I've been driving for many years and know that throwing objects out of car windows is illegal, especially more common to get caught at traffic lights. Usually, the fine ranges from 50 to 200 yuan, depending on local policies. For example, Beijing fines 100 yuan, Shanghai fines 200 yuan, and it may also deduct 1-2 driving points. Once, I saw a friend throw a cigarette butt at an intersection, which was caught on camera, and the ticket was sent directly to his home. He regretted it for days. This behavior is unsafe—thrown objects can hit the windshield of the car behind or cause accidents for pedestrians, and it also pollutes the environment. Police often set up checkpoints or use surveillance cameras during peak hours to catch offenders. A preventive measure is to use in-car garbage bags or small bins to collect trash, forming a habit that saves money and hassle. In short, never do it—the fines and environmental impact aren’t worth it.
