Government to crackdown on idling drivers

Drivers that leave their engines running while parked could face higher fines, under new proposals from the Department for Transport (DfT).

Local authorities already have the power to issue £20 - £80 penalties to drivers who leave their car idling for longer than a minute, but Transport Secretary Chris Grayling has now outlined plans to launch a public consultation that would allow councils to hit drivers with bigger fines.

It isn't clear how large the penalties will be, but the DfT has indicated that councils will be given new guidelines that will focus enforcement in selected areas, like schools and high streets. 

"We are determined to crack down on drivers who pollute our communities by leaving their engines running, particularly outside school gates where our children are breathing in this toxic air," said Grayling.

"Putting a stop to idling is an easy way to drive down dangerously high levels of pollution, reducing its impact on the environment and our health."

The DfT claims that, every minute, an idling car produces enough exhaust emissions to fill 150 balloons with harmful chemicals, including cyanide, NOx and PM2.5. These microscopic pollutants can result in a range of health problems - from heart and lung disease to strokes and cancer and have been shown to be particularly damaging to children.

The Government will launch a public consultation in the coming months, that will explore higher fines and how to deal with repeat offenders who keep their engines running following several warnings.