Is It Legal to Flick a Booger Out of Your Car in Louisiana?

SHREVEPORT, LA - Please indulge me for a minute while I explain to you why I am even writing this piece. This is not meant to be a major news story or anything serious. This is all in fun. Let me have a little fun before going crazy on your keyboard.

Lately, I have seen lots of crews out cleaning up trash along the highways in Shreveport. Many of them are city crews. As soon as they clean up a stretch of roadway, nasty motorists drive by and throw more trash out. They can not keep up with the filth. Over the years, I've seen lots of folks throw bags of food items out the window. I've watched a woman launch a dirty diaper out of her window. My list could go on and on. You've probably seen it too.

Why Are We Talking About Boogers?

Louisiana has launched a campaign to tidy things up, but it's a big job. The other day I saw two things that got me curious. I pull up next to a car with a man behind the wheel. He was "digging for gold" in his nose. I don't me a tiny little pick and flick a booger. He was California gold mining. His finger was touching his medulla oblongata in his brain. That's how deep he was going. I can't help but look to see how long he's going to do this. He quit the dig and then rolled down his window. He launched an apple core out of the window. But I am sure attached to that apple core was a nice juicy....you guessed it.....BOOG!

What Does the Louisiana Law Say About Boogers?

After spotting this, I started checking out Louisiana's litter law. It does not look like tossing the apple out is a crime. It's not on the list of things considered to be litter. But the booger doesn't make the list either.

What Items Are Considered Litter?

Lots of things are on this list in Louisiana. The Louisiana state statute refers to litter as “including but not limited to disposable packages, containers, sand, gravel, rubbish, cans, bottles, refuse, garbage, trash, cigarettes, cigarette butts, cigars, cigarillos, cigar or cigarillo tips, debris, dead animals, furniture or appliances, automotive parts including but not limited to tires and engines, trailers, boats and boating accessories, tools and equipment, and building materials, roofing nails, or other discarded materials of any kind and description.”

The law says “no person shall intentionally dispose or permit the disposal of litter upon any public place in the state.” The law also includes the public waters of the state. Fines for littering in Louisiana begin at $500 and go up from there for a 2^nd offense and beyond.

Where Does Most of the Litter in Louisiana Come From?

Keep America Beautiful has some stats that shows the largest source of litter is from individuals – motorists and pedestrians. These folks account for 76% of all litter.

We have to do better. I just hope that "boog" doesn't wind up on your windshield.