Government plots harsher engine idling crackdown on drivers

Proposals include raising fines for offenders.

Exhaust fumes from car exhaust pipe

James Fossdyke

By: James Fossdyke

Jul 1, 2019 at 3:00am ET

Add Motor1.com as a preferred source in Google

Comment

Drivers who leave their engines running while stopped could soon face greater penalties under new proposals.

The plans, which are being put through a public consultation, would see increases in the fines for drivers who leave their cars’ engines running, or ‘idling’, for no good reason. Councils already have the power to fine those who leave their engines running, but the proposed rule change would bolster their powers to deal with offenders.

More on idling:

Drivers could be fined for idling in traffic

'No-idling' zones outside schools proposed

As part of the consultation period, which is expected to begin this summer, the government will also investigate the public’s opinion of systems designed to stop repeat offenders. The Department for Transport (DfT) will ask for input on how best to deal with those who receive multiple warnings but continue to let their vehicles idle.

Smoky dual exhaust pipes from starting diesel car

According to the DfT, idling vehicles are “a major factor” in problems with air quality, claiming the issue is particularly problematic in “areas with large numbers of waiting vehicles”, such as outside schools, at taxi ranks and at bus stations. And the government says that poor air quality is “the biggest environmental risk to public health” in the country.

Every minute, the DfT says, an idling car produces enough exhaust gasses to fill 150 balloons with “harmful chemicals”, including cyanide, NOx and PM2.5 (particulate matter). The government says such pollutants can result in a range of health problems, including heart and lung disease, as well as strokes and cancer. And despite being small in size, the DfT says the pollutants are “particularly damaging” to children.

Close up of car exhaust fumes in a traffic jam

The new plans, however, are designed to reduce air pollution around schools by deterring drivers from leaving their engines running while they wait at the school gate. The DfT says such pollution is “unnecessary”, and the new proposals represent the “biggest change to the rules since 2002”.

The changes are part of the government’s plan to improve air quality, which already includes grants to encourage the purchase of cleaner vehicles and the ban on the sale of new petrol and diesel cars by 2040. The government also says it has doubled the investment in cycling and walking since 2010.

Cyclist on cycling lane near Tower Hill in London

What do you think?

View

Comments

Transport Secretary Chris Grayling said the government wanted to deter drivers who polluted areas by leaving their engines running unnecessarily.

“We are determined to crack down on drivers who pollute our communities by leaving their engines running, particularly outside school gates where our children are breathing in this toxic air,” he said. “Putting a stop to idling is an easy way to drive down dangerously high levels of pollution, reducing its impact on the environment and our health.”

We want your opinion!

What would you like to see on Motor1.com?

Take our 3 minute survey.

- The Motor1.com Team

Share this Story

GO TO COMMENTS

(

)

Got a tip for us? Email: tips@motor1.com

View all comments ( )

Popular

12 Cars With Names That Make Absolutely No Sense

BMW Kept This Hatchback A Secret For Decades

Bugatti Restores One-Off Veyron With A Mirror-Like Aluminum Body

The Gas BMW M3 Isn't Dead: Next-Gen Prototype Roars