A nondescript black Mercedes SUV stands still at a traffic signal, unaware it’s about to become the center of a sensation. The casual discard of a trash bag from its passenger door sets the stage for an electrifying encounter few would expect on an ordinary day.
Cue the roar of a motorcycle. Its rider swiftly intervenes, confronting the SUV driver in a silent yet powerful rebuke. While the exact words are lost in the shadows of the initial video, the escalating tension between the two is palpable.
The Incident
After a brief exchange, which isn’t audible in the initial video, the biker picks up the discarded trash and holds it up to the SUV’s window, seemingly questioning the act. He then places the trash bag atop the SUV.
A verbal altercation between the biker and the SUV driver is evident in a subsequent video with audio. The driver steps out, leans over the roof of the SUV, and retrieves the trash bag.
After a brief argument, the driver returns to his vehicle, trash bag in hand.
Viewers React
Ashley Balitz, who captured the incident, lauded the biker’s actions, stating, “Kudos for this biker for sticking up and saying something to these people!” Many viewers echoed her sentiments.
One commenter, Erick Gomez, remarked, “Not all heroes wear capes.”
Another viewer pointed out the possibility of reporting the littering incident, given that the vehicle’s license plate was visible.
A user also said, “What you do is call the cops say so and so car opened their door and left a mysterious package on the middle of the road and left and follow the car”
Not the First of Its Kind
This isn’t an isolated incident of bikers confronting litterbugs. Past reports have highlighted similar actions by bikers.
For instance, in 2014, several media outlets covered a story about a Russian female motorcyclist throwing trash back into the cars of those who littered.
Similarly, in 2018, The Daily Mail reported an incident involving a female biker in Beijing who similarly returned litter to its original owner.
The Repercussions of Roadside Littering
Littering, especially on freeways, significantly threatens the environment and human safety. A casual drive on the Bay Area freeways reveals the shocking extent of trash accumulation on the shoulders.
While many perceive littering as merely an environmental concern, its implications for human safety are profound. Littering on freeways is illegal, with fines ranging from $250 to $3000, and has dire consequences. [1]
Officer Tyler Hahn from the California Highway Patrol highlighted that littering led to approximately 25,000 car accidents annually, as drivers swerve to avoid debris, resulting in 80-90 fatalities each year. The financial burden is also staggering.
In May 2021, California spent a whopping $1.5 billion on cleaning freeway trash near the University of South California.
This expenditure is exclusive of the $5.4 billion reserved for road maintenance. The littering behavior is further exacerbated by the assumption that someone else will clean up, leading to increased taxes and environmental challenges.
Volunteers like Arshed Syed and Yusuf Bello, who participate in programs like Adopt-a-Highway, spend countless hours cleaning up the mess, often encountering unexpected items like diapers and wheels.
The collective negligence towards littering not only strains the efforts of these volunteers and organizations like Caltrans but also jeopardizes the drivability of our roads.
If unchecked, our roads could become impassable, disrupting essential activities like goods transportation and daily commutes. Individuals must recognize the broader implications of their actions and contribute positively to their communities.
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Sources
- thewildcattribune.com/12933/opinion/littering-on-freeways-brings-harm-back-to-humans/
This article was produced and syndicated by Viral Chatter. It was inspired by this video:
@balitz.ashly Part one, see profile for part 2, this one has no sound. I recorded from my memory card that was in my car cam. But kudos for this biker for sticking up and saying something to these people! Also please ignore the date stamp, my camera never seems to keep the correct date on it. This happened on 8/14/23….
#tallahassee #donotlitter #kudos #foryou #foryoupage ♬ original sound – Ashly Balitz
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Martha A. Lavallie
Martha is a journalist with close to a decade of experience in uncovering and reporting on the most compelling stories of our time. Passionate about staying ahead of the curve, she specializes in shedding light on trending topics and captivating global narratives. Her insightful articles have garnered acclaim, making her a trusted voice in today's dynamic media landscape.
