Time to switch off
Engine idling is when you leave your vehicle engine running while it is stationary. This pollutes the air and can affect our health, particularly children who are closer to vehicle exhausts. It also wastes fuel and money.
Some vehicles have stop-start technology that automatically switches off the engine when the vehicle is stationary, but many do not. This is why it is important to switch off your engine when you are waiting.
Why engine idling is bad for the air
Petrol and diesel vehicles release pollutants through their exhausts. These emissions reduce air quality and can affect our hearts and lungs.
Air pollution can affect everyone, but children, older people and those with existing health conditions may be more at risk. Children are also closer to vehicle exhausts and may breathe in more emissions.
When an engine is idling, emissions remain close to the vehicle. This means that the driver, passengers and people nearby may breathe in more polluted air.
Help your community breathe cleaner air by switching off your engine when you are stationary for more than one minute.
Why engine idling is bad for your pocket
An idling engine uses fuel without moving the vehicle, wasting fuel and money. Idling for more than 10 seconds can use more fuel and produce more emissions than switching the engine off and restarting it.
Regular idling can also cause carbon to build up in the engine. This may reduce its efficiency and contribute to wear over time.
The law and engine idling
The law says that you should not leave your vehicle engine running unnecessarily while it is stationary. If you do not switch off your engine when asked, you could receive a £20 fine, increasing to £40 if it is not paid within the required period.
What we are doing
We are raising awareness of the effects of engine idling and helping drivers understand how they can reduce air pollution.
Our officers check for idling vehicles on public roads and can ask drivers to switch off their engines. In the future, they may also be able to issue fines to drivers who refuse to switch off without a valid reason.
What you can do
You can help make the air cleaner and healthier by:
- switching off your engine when you are stationary for more than one minute, including while waiting outside schools or shops
- explaining to other people why they should switch off their engines
- helping to raise awareness in your community
Thank you for your cooperation and support.
Exceptions
There are some circumstances where it may be necessary to keep an engine running while a vehicle is stationary. These include:
- using heating or air conditioning during extreme temperatures to protect vulnerable passengers
- powering essential equipment, such as a wheelchair lift
Engine idling myths and facts
Idling does not produce much pollution
Fact: An idling vehicle engine can produce up to twice as many exhaust emissions per minute as an engine in a moving vehicle.
It is safer to remain inside an idling vehicle
Fact: Air quality inside an idling vehicle can be worse than the air outside because exhaust emissions may enter and build up inside the vehicle.
Leaving the engine running is cheaper than restarting it
Fact: Switching off the engine can save fuel. Stop-start technology was introduced to reduce unnecessary fuel use and emissions while vehicles are stationary.
The engine needs to stay running to keep the heater on
Fact: In many vehicles, the heater may continue to provide warmth for a short time after the engine has been switched off.
A vehicle needs to idle before driving
Fact: Modern vehicle engines do not normally need to be left running to warm up before driving.
A running engine prevents a parking fine
Fact: Parking restrictions still apply while the engine is running. Enforcement officers can issue a fine if a vehicle is parked illegally.