Drivers in England 'who leave engine running while stationary' face £801 fine

Petrol and diesel drivers who leave their car running and "idle" face £40 fines. Thanet District Council in Kent has become the most recent local authority to introduce new rules to fine drivers £20 who continue to idle.

The value of the fixed penalty notice skyrockets to £40 if it is not paid within 28 days. According to Rule 123 of The Highway Code, drivers must not leave a parked vehicle unattended with the engine running or leave a vehicle engine running unnecessarily while the vehicle is stationary on a public road.

Councillor Peter Mason, who represents the Southall Green ward for the Labour Party, said: “Leaving car engines running unnecessarily pollutes the air we all breathe, adds to the climate crisis and causes asthma and other lung and heart conditions in both children and adults.

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“Air pollution in our borough is avoidable and all it takes is switching off your engine when your car isn’t moving whenever you can. It makes a huge difference to the air quality.” Brighton and Hove recently introduced a charge of £40 for drivers who leave their engines running when parked too.

Speaking at the time, Councillor Tim Rowkins, chair of the City Environment, South Downs and The Sea Committee said last year: “Improving the city’s air quality is extremely important, especially for those who suffer from long-term respiratory conditions like asthma and lung disease.

“Enforcing engine idling is something we hope will deter motorists from releasing harmful emissions unnecessarily. We’re asking those parked up to switch off their engines and reduce air pollution.” If you leave your car idling, you can be charged a £20 fixed penalty notice (FPN) by local authorities, for emission offences and stationary idling under The Road Traffic (Vehicle Emissions) (Fixed Penalty) (England) Regulations 2002. There is also the potential for the fine to increase to £801.

It is also important to note that fines would be imposed only if a motorist refuses to turn off their engine when asked by an authorised person to do so.