Drivers are being reminded of the problems that litter can cause on motorways and major 'A' roads as the 'Bag it and Bin it!' initiative gets under way.

To encourage people to dispose of their litter in a bin when they reach their destination, instead of out of their vehicle window or in a lay by, the Highways Agency has produced a paper litter bag which can be used to store rubbish until it can be disposed of responsibly.

For the Highways Agency, not only is litter unsightly and a threat to the environment, but clearing rubbish puts workers at risk of injury from moving traffic and diverts resources away from road maintenance and repairs. Litter can also block roadside drains and cause localised flooding.

In the North East region, the Highways Agency's contractor picks up the equivalent of 80 black bags of litter every month from the A1(M), A66(M) and A194(M).

The campaign is being backed by the RAC Foundation for Motoring and the IAM Motoring Trust.

Sheila Rainger, Deputy Director of the RAC Foundation, said: "With rubbish, there's no such place as 'away' — every piece of litter tossed onto the carriageway has to be picked up by someone. Throwing litter onto the road is a filthy habit and there's no excuse; it's a waste of money which could be better spent on repairs and maintenance; and it's a safety hazard for everyone who has to dodge bags, cans and bottles on the road. Bag it and bin it, or take it home and recycle it — whatever you do, no-one else wants to see it."

Neil Greig, Director of the IAM Motoring Trust, said: "It's not uncommon for bottles and other pieces of litter to roll around the driver's feet and get caught up under the brake pedal. If you have to brake suddenly, this could have a devastating impact on the likelihood of an accident. Simply bagging your litter in the car could be a lifesaver — a tidy car is a safe car."

The 'Bag it! Bin it!' bag, is recyclable and biodegradable, and will be available from Highways Agency traffic officers, service stations, petrol stations and cafes on major 'A' roads and motorways in the North East. The bags will also be distributed from the Highways Agency exhibition stands at shows across England this Summer.