Idle hands make car-driving illegal

We know our cars have an impact on the environment, but it’s how we use them that can really affect how detrimental driving is to the world around us.

Engine idling is one of the behaviours we can easily change.

People may run their engine without moving to warm up the car on a cold day or while they are stopped in traffic or waiting for someone.

However, idling your engine does more harm than good. And not just for the environment.

There are rules around when you shouldn’t leave your car running – in this guide, we cover the details.

Engine idling releases more exhaust fumes into the air than when the car is moving, which is bad for the environment and our health.

While the UK’s greenhouse gas emissions have generally been decreasing since 1990, average global temperatures are still rising quickly.

Exhaust fumes contain carbon monoxide, nitrogen dioxide, and hydrocarbons.

These gases are linked to cardiovascular and respiratory conditions, including asthma and lung cancer.

In fact, poor air quality is ‘the largest environmental risk to public health in the UK’.

Data from Public Health England estimates that long-term exposure to man-made air pollution has an effect that’s equivalent to between 28,000 and 36,000 deaths per year.

Is engine idling illegal?
Yes. Under Section 42 of the Road Traffic Act 1988, engine idling is an offence.

In the Highway Code, the words ‘must’ and ‘must not’ indicate legal requirements. Other parts of the code use ‘should’, ‘should not’, ‘do’, and ‘do not’ and while violating these rules isn’t a criminal offence, it can still be used against you in court.

This law only applies to public roads, so it’s not illegal to leave your engine running while your car’s on private property (for example, on your drive).

However, it’s best practice to switch the engine off if you’re going to be waiting for a while. Not only is this better for health and the environment, it’s also better for your vehicle.

Drivers caught engine idling will be issued a fixed penalty notice if they refuse to switch their engine off by authorised personnel.

This fine is:
* £20 initially
* £40 if you don’t pay the initial fine within 28 days
* £80 if you don’t pay the £40 within 14 days

Leaving a vehicle running while it remains still isn’t efficient, because the fuel may not combust the way it’s supposed to.

It can also leave behind a residue that causes damage, and after a longer period of time the battery may drain.

How can I avoid engine idling?

* Think about how long you’re going to be in stationary traffic. If it’s likely to be more than a couple of minutes, switch your engine off.
* Next time you need to replace your car, look for a model with stop-start technology, and keep this option turned on so you don’t need to think about it.
* Switch your engine off if you’re doing any of the following:
* Waiting in a car park
* Waiting at a pick-up point
* Waiting in a lay-by
* Waiting outside someone’s house
* Loading or unloading your vehicle
* Switch your engine off but leave on the ignition, so you can still use systems like air conditioning.

If your vehicle has stop-start technology, you don’t need to worry about engine idling.

The engine will stop when the vehicle does, then switch back on when you apply the clutch.

The UK Government introduced the Environment Bill in 2021.

The bill requires the government to set targets on air quality.

One of these targets is to reduce the annual average of fine particulate matter in ambient air, which is the most harmful for human health.

In terms of transport and driving, Clean Air Zones (CAZs) are steadily being implemented across the country. CAZs are areas that charge or penalise highly polluting vehicles.

The pollution level of a vehicle is based on its Euro emission standard, which is a number from one to six. Each type of vehicle must meet a minimum Euro emission standard to avoid being charged.

Vehicle type Clean Air Zone minimum standard Bus, coach, heavy goods vehicle Euro six Van, minibus, taxi, private hire vehicle, car (petrol) Euro four Van, minibus, taxi, private hire vehicle, car (diesel) Euro six Motorcycle Euro three (source: Gov.uk)

The government has an online tool which you can use to check whether or not you need to pay the charge.

The rules are slightly different in London, where there is the Low Emission Zone (LEZ) and Ultra Low Emissions Zone (ULEZ).

Vehicles which do not meet the LEZ or ULEZ standards must pay a charge to drive inside the zone.

* The Low Emission Zone covers most of Greater London and is in constant operation.

It doesn’t apply to vehicles parked in the zone.

All roads in Greater London, including those at Heathrow and parts of the M1 and M4 are included.

The M25 is not included.

* The Ultra-Low Emission Zone operates every day of the year, 24 hours a day, except 25 December.

It covers all areas within the North and South Circular Roads.

The North Circular (A406) and South Circular (A205) roads are not currently in the zone.

For the full report, visit https://www.comparethemarket.com/car-insurance/content/engine-idling/

 

Picture: Michal Zacharzewski /RGBstock