Turn your engine off, or pay the price

The results of a new survey by the RAC, who asked more than 2,000 respondents their thoughts about driver behaviour, have revealed some startling statistics.

For example, around 70% of the respondents said they want to see their councils making more of an effort to clamp down on drivers who leave their engines running while parked.

Specifically, around 44% said they wanted councils to fine drivers who refuse to turn off their engine when asked.

Just over 25% said that councils should ask them to switch their engines off but not fine them, while a much lower 2% said that those who park up and don’t switch off should be fined on the spot.

Air pollution is a serious public health concern, and drivers who leave their engines running when parked only fuel the fire. Research has found that air pollution harms both human health and the environment.

The RAC’s recent findings have sparked some debate among council members and road users alike. Cllr. David Renard, the transport spokesman for the Local Government Association, has said it would be “hard to enforce” fines for drivers who leave their engines idling while parked.

“Councils have prioritised changing behaviour by educating motorists,” he adds, “which is often more effective than issuing fines.”

“As part of their review of air quality legislation,” says Renard, “the Government should look again at whether these powers are working how they are intended and whether they could be made simpler to use while still being fair to the motorist.”

What do you think? Do you agree that councils should hand out fines for drivers who leave their engines on while parked up? Or do you think that no action is necessary? Let us know in the comments below.

Written by Jasmin Collier