Drivers have been warned they could be fined £6,500 and face prosecution for failing to follow key safety rules while on UK roads.
Safety experts have explained that littering can contribute to serious fire hazards, particularly during the warmer months of the year.
According to research, local fire services reported a 200 per cent increase in outdoor fires in June, with littering from vehicles found to be a key contributor.
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Experts have now urged drivers to dispose of litter properly and ensure they follow the rules, or they could face serious consequences.
Drivers can be hit with immediate fines of £150 for littering on UK roads
|GETTY
Safety expert Adam Harper from Fire and Evacuation Services said: "We'd strongly advise against throwing glass bottles, cigarette butts, plastic and other items out of your car from a vehicle at any time, but especially not during hot, dry spells.
"During heatwaves, the ground gets extremely dry, and something as small as a spark or sunlight shining through a discarded bottle could easily start a fire."
He explained that in these conditions, "it only takes a tiny spark for a fire to start", which could then create serious hazards for drivers.
Drivers could also be issued a Nuisance Abatement Notice, and in some cases, be taken to court under the Environmental Protection Act 1990. "Ignoring such a notice could see you prosecuted and fined up to £5,000," he said.
Ashfield Fire Station warned that litter on the roads can catch fire and drift onto traffic
| GETTYIf drivers fail to comply with an abatement notice, they can be prosecuted and fined, with the local authority able to seize and confiscate vehicles in more serious cases.
However, if motorists are caught littering on the motorway, they could be issued an "on-the-spot fine" of up to £150.
Harper warned: "And if your rubbish sparks a grassland fire, the Heather and Grass Burning Code allows for fines of up to £1,000, with more severe cases potentially leading to prison."
Fire services have been dealing with a high number of grass and outdoor fires during the summer period, many of which could have been prevented "if people had taken extra care in these dry conditions".
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Frank Bird, Highways England emergency planning officer, explained that smoke from roadside fires can drift across motorways, posing a hazard to drivers. He said: "With the land being so dry, it often only takes a small spark to take hold."
"Even something as small as a discarded cigarette or a piece of glass can start a blaze," Harper explained.
In addition to being a safety hazard, littering also diverts emergency resources from other incidents, which could put additional lives at risk.
Ashfield Fire Station shared on Facebook: "Have you seen people throw cigarettes out of their vehicle window? Throwing litter, including cigarettes, from your car can start a wildfire. It’s also illegal and can land you with a fine. Take your rubbish home with you."
Two million pieces of litter are dropped in the UK everyday | GETTY
Harper noted that National Highways "does clear rubbish, but collecting it near high-speed traffic is dangerous work".
He explained that the "simplest solution" is for road users to take their litter home and ensure they dispose of it properly.
The expert added: "If drivers are keeping their litter in their car, make sure to place any plastic water bottles in glove compartments and out of the shade.
"When left in direct sunlight, these bottles can act like a magnifying glass, concentrating heat on one spot and potentially igniting upholstery, and creating a fire in your own car."