The N.C. Department of Transportation saw a 23 percent increase in the number of roadside littering incidents reported through its Swat-A-Litterbug program in 2008. More than 9,600 littering reports were made last year, up from 7,800 reports in 2007.

"The Swat-A-Litterbug program plays an important role in keeping motorists accountable for their actions," said Transportation Secretary Gene Conti. "It also gives people a simple and easy way to aid in the state's litter prevention efforts."

The Swat-A-Litterbug program is administered by NCDOT's Office of Beautification Programs and the N.C. State Highway Patrol. Individuals observed littering are sent a letter signed by the colonel of the State Highway Patrol, which informs recipients they were observed littering and lets them know that littering is a fineable and illegal offense. Fines for littering range from $250 to $2,000 and can double on subsequent convictions.

Anyone who observes littering can make a report through the mail, over the phone or online through the Office of Beautification Programs' Swat-A-Litterbug Web site. Information required to make a report includes the vehicle's license plate number, date and time of the incident, street name, city, county and type of littering offense observed.

NCDOT offers other opportunities for citizens to get involved with helping prevent and clean up roadside litter, including volunteering for its semi-annual litter sweeps, which are held in the spring and fall of each year.

For more information about the department's anti-litter efforts or to make a Swat-A-Litterbug report online, visit www.ncdot.gov/~beautification . To call in a Swat-A-Litterbug report, contact NCDOT's Customer Service Office at 1-877-DOT-4YOU. Mail-in Swat-A-Litterbug cards can be obtained by calling the Office of Beautification Programs at 1-800-331-5864.