Thirty-six years after the Texas Department of Transportation launched its "Don't mess with Texas®" litter prevention campaign the spirited call-to-action is still going strong.
Don't mess with TexasIn Texas each year, approximately 362 million pieces of visible litter still pile up along state-maintained highways. Seventy percent of this litter is small trash like napkins, cigarette butts and fast food wrappers. In 2021, litter cleanup efforts cost more than $50 million. Violators can face fines starting at $500. If what you toss weighs more than five pounds, you can pay up to a $2,000 fine.
In 1986, legendary Texas blues guitarist Stevie Ray Vaughan helped launch TxDOT's inaugural "Don't mess with Texas" campaign. Since then, Texas celebrities like George Strait, Willie Nelson Erykah Badu, and Matthew McConaughey have lent their voices and support. The newest generation of "Don't mess with Texas" celebrities includes Randy Rogers Band, Grupo Fantasma, and Las Fenix.
