Drivers face new £150 fine from today — most don't even know it's an offence

Drivers face new £150 fine from today — most don't even know it's an offence The fine has been increased from £20 to a maximum of £150. Drivers are facing a significantly steeper penalty from today for an offence that many drivers likely commit without even knowing. The fine has risen from £20 to a maximum of £150, targeting drivers caught leaving their engine running unnecessarily while stationary — commonly known as "idling". The change is only applicable in Wales, where 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 adds that "air pollution remains a serious risk to health and the environment" and that "stationary idling is one such source of air pollution". The Welsh Government further states that tackling unnecessary idling is "particularly important... around schools, hospitals and other areas with vulnerable populations". Rule 123 of the Highway Code already advises motorists to turn off their engines when stationary on a public road, and keeping an engine running while stopped is an existing offence in certain circumstances, potentially resulting in a criminal conviction or a Fixed Penalty Notice (FPN). Nevertheless, a Welsh Government survey reveals that just one in three people are actually aware it constitutes an offence. Local authorities throughout Wales and across the UK already possess powers to issue £20 fines to motorists for "engine idling" - usually enforced around schools and healthcare facilities. However, from today this penalty has been substantially increased in Wales, where the fine range now stands at £75-£150, reports the Express. Local authorities have been given discretion to determine where within that bracket they will impose fines. What is unnecessary idling? Stationary idling happens when a vehicle with an internal combustion engine (ICE) isn't moving but its engine continues running. The Welsh Government states that every minute a car engine is left idling, it generates enough exhaust to fill up to 150 balloons with harmful pollutants, including cyanide, nitrogen oxides and fine particulate matter. It also maintains that idling for 30 seconds creates nearly double the pollution compared to switching off then restarting an engine. Rule 123 of the Highway Code states that drivers, when their vehicle is stationary on a public road and expected to remain so for more than a couple of minutes, should engage the parking brake and turn off the engine. Under section 42 of the Road Traffic Act 1988 a driver in an idling vehicle can be penalised. However, it only applies to petrol, diesel and hybrid vehicles (including taxis) as they emit exhaust emissions when stationary. Electric vehicles don't have an ICE so don't produce exhaust emissions while stationary. When will I be fined for stationary idling? A specific procedure has been outlined for local authorities regarding when fines should be issued. If an enforcement officer suspects a driver of committing an idling offence, they must first ask the driver to turn off their engine. Should the driver comply, or simply drive off, no offence has been committed and a fine cannot be handed out. However, if the driver refuses to comply, a penalty can then be issued. There is no fixed definition for how long a vehicle must remain stationary with its engine running before an offence is deemed to have occurred, though the Highway Code recommends 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 without risking a fine 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. Why is the fine for idling increasing? The Welsh Government states that 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".