Drivers in Wales face a significantly increased fine from today for leaving their vehicle engine running unnecessarily. The penalty has risen from £20 to a maximum of £150.
The Welsh Government says it is taking "action to improve air quality and reduce emissions and noise levels" and that "this is essential to protect human health and wellbeing, support the economy, and safeguard biodiversity, and the natural environment". It says "air pollution remains a serious risk to health and the environment" and that "stationary idling is one such source of air pollution".
Reducing unnecessary idling is "particularly important... around schools, hospitals and other areas with vulnerable populations", according to the Welsh Government.
What is unnecessary idling?
Stationary idling occurs when a vehicle with an internal combustion engine (ICE) is not moving but its engine remains running. The Welsh Government says every minute a car engine is left idling, it produces enough exhaust to fill up to 150 balloons with harmful pollutants, including cyanide, nitrogen oxides and fine particulate matter. It also says that idling for 30 seconds produces nearly twice as much pollution as switching off then restarting an engine.
Rule 123 of the Highway Code advises drivers to switch off their engine when their vehicle is stationary on a public road and likely to remain so for more than a couple of minutes. Under section 42 of the Road Traffic Act 1988 a driver in an idling car can be fined. However, according to a Welsh Government survey, only a third of people know it is an offence.
Local authorities across Wales and elsewhere in the UK already hold powers to issue £20 fines for engine idling, typically enforced near schools and healthcare settings. As of today, the penalty range in Wales is now £75-£150, with local authorities deciding where on that scale they will issue fines.
When will I be fined?
A specific process has been set out to local authorities on when to issue fines. If an enforcement officer believes a driver is committing an idling offence, they must first request that the driver switches off the engine. If the driver complies, or simply drives away, then no offence has taken place and a fine cannot be issued. But if the driver fails to comply, a fine can be issued.
There is no set definition for how long a vehicle must remain stationary with its engine running for an offence to be committed, though the Highway Code advises that where a vehicle is stationary and likely to remain so for more than a couple of minutes, drivers should switch off their engines.
When you can leave the engine running
There are circumstances where stationary idling is not an offence and you cannot be fined for it:
- When stationary due to traffic conditions (for example at traffic lights, in queues or at level crossings)
- When powering essential equipment (for example, on-board systems in emergency vehicles or refrigeration units on lorries and vans)
- To diagnose or repair a vehicle fault
- When the vehicle is on private land — stationary idling is only an offence on a public highway, so cannot be issued on private property, including, for example, supermarket, hospital and fast-food restaurant car parks.
The rules only apply to petrol, diesel and hybrid vehicles (including taxis) because they produce exhaust emissions when stationary. Electric vehicles do not have an ICE so do not produce exhaust emissions while stationary.
Why is the fine increasing?
The Welsh Government says air pollution is "one of the most significant environmental public health challenges of our time" and has "profound and far-reaching impacts on health and wellbeing". It adds: "It contributes to premature death and reduces quality of life with effects linked to low birth weight, childhood asthma, heart disease, stroke, dementia, and mental health conditions."
"These impacts are not felt equally. Older people, disabled people, young children, and those with existing health conditions are especially vulnerable and are often disproportionately affected. Tackling stationary idling can reduce avoidable emissions at the point of exposure and help protect the most vulnerable and affected groups and communities - particularly around schools, care homes, and other areas where people are most at risk."
It says 80% of people agree that stationary idling is "unacceptable".
