The RAC has warned drivers they could face fines for leaving their car engine running unnecessarily while parked on a public road. On a wintry morning it is common for drivers to start the engine, turn the heater up, and remain stationary for several minutes before setting off.
But the breakdown cover and car insurance specialist reminds drivers that Rule 123 of the Highway Code states that drivers must not leave a vehicle's engine running unnecessarily while it is stationary on a public road. It says this means a police officer generally has to ask the motorist to switch the engine off first, with enforcement applying if they fail to comply.
Higher Fixed Penalties in Wales
The Welsh Government recently announced that since September 30, the fixed penalty that local authorities can enforce for stationary idling will rise from £20 to between £75 and £150, reflecting the serious harm that vehicle emissions cause to air quality and public health.
RAC senior policy officer Rod Dennis said: “However tempting it might be to sit in a vehicle with the engine running and the heater on to warm up, we strongly advise against it.
“As well as polluting the air and wasting fuel, drivers who leave their engines idling unnecessarily on a public road also risk an on-the-spot fine of £80.
“On cold mornings, the best approach is to clear any ice or snow properly and ensure windows are fully demisted before setting off, then get on your way and let the car warm you up.”
Official Warnings on Air Quality
Cabinet minister for rural resilience and sustainability, Llyr Gruffydd, previously said of the strengthened measures in Wales: "We’re taking bold action to clean up our air and cut pollution, protecting health and improving the places where we live. That’s why we’re increasing the fine range for anyone who leave their engine running while parked.
"Idling engines pump out fumes that people breathe in, including children outside schools and vulnerable people outside healthcare settings. Switching off is such a simple thing to do, and we want to encourage everyone to get into the habit – whether you're outside a school, a doctor’s surgery, the shops, a train station or anywhere else."
And chief medical officer for Wales, Professor Isabel Oliver, added: "Air pollution is a serious public health issue, contributing to a range of conditions including heart and lung disease. Children, older people and those with existing health conditions are particularly vulnerable to its effects.
"Idling may seem like a small, everyday habit, but it adds up. Every time an engine is switched off rather than left running, we reduce the amount of harmful pollution in the air we all breathe, particularly around schools, hospitals and other places where vulnerable people spend time. I'd encourage everyone to make switching off a normal part of parking up for better health and avoid penalties."
The RAC adds that keeping the engine running is permitted in certain circumstances, including when a vehicle is stationary because of traffic conditions, when the engine needs to run so a mechanical fault can be investigated, or if certain work is being carried out on the side of the road.
