Engine idling
Emissions from traffic are one of the major sources of air pollution in Wirral. Engine idling contributes to these emissions.
What is air pollution and why is it a concern?
Air pollution is a complex mix of particles and gases of both natural and human origin. Air pollutants are emitted from a range of both human-made and natural sources. Everyday activities such as driving motor vehicles release pollution into the air.
Air pollution can have negative effects on our health including making conditions such as asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) worse. Long term exposure can cause conditions including lung disease, heart disease and cancer.
What is engine idling
Engine idling is the running of an engine when it is not required for:
- driving of the vehicle or
- examination of the engine or
- operation of machinery, for example, operation of a tail lift
There are other common-sense situations where an engine may need to run. Examples are:
- where a vehicle is stationary at traffic lights or in a traffic jam
- to help defrost or demist a windscreen in cold weather,
- to cool down on a hot day, or warm up on a cold day, for a few minutes. It is not reasonable to keep the engine running to maintain a pleasant environment.
Why should you stop engine idling?
Engine idling while the vehicle is stationary causes unnecessary use of fuel, an increase in local air pollution and a noisy environment. Engine idling is also an offence under the Road Traffic Act, and drivers may be fined for not switching off their engine when asked by an officer.
Some groups of people, for example children and the elderly, are more vulnerable to air pollution. Children are more vulnerable as their airways are smaller and are still developing. They are also closer to the ground, and therefore closer to exhausts pipe of vehicles meaning they can breathe in more emissions.
Not only does idling your engine increase the outdoor air pollution levels locally, it can also increase the levels of pollution within your own vehicle and those parked close to you. This is because the pollutants can pass through air filters and build up inside the vehicle.
Switching off your engine will also help the environment, by reducing the release of carbon dioxide, which is a greenhouse gas contributing to climate change.
What actions can you take to reduce air pollution in Wirral?
Let’s all care about cleaner air!
We are asking our residents and businesses to do their bit to tackle air pollution. We are all the key to cleaner air and a healthier environment for everyone.
- Turn off your engine when parked, loading or waiting at the roadside
This will save you money on fuel. It will also help look after you and your family’s health, and the health of your community - Don’t be idle on the school run
Idling vehicles whilst parked outside a school contributes to air pollution around that school. Switch off your vehicle’s engine when dropping off, picking up or waiting near a school - Take your feet to the street
Ditch the car and walk to school, to work or to the shops - Take to two wheels
Leave the car at home and cycle or scoot - Use public transport
Leave your car at home and try an alternative transport option - buses, trains or even the ferry - Carpool
Ask a colleague or friend to car share if traveling to the same place and share fuel and parking costs - Regularly service your car
Make sure it runs as efficiently and cleanly as possible - Keep your car tyres inflated
Properly inflated tyres mean your car will be more efficient and use less fuel
Myth busting on engine idling
Myth: Turning the engine on and off wears it out.
Fact: In modern cars, electronic ignitions have eliminated this issue. However, engine idling does increase wear and tear because it causes incomplete fuel combustion.
Myth: Idling is needed to keep catalytic converters hot.
Fact: Catalytic converters do need to be warm but can retain their heat for over 20 minutes after the engine is switched of
Myth: Turning your engine on and off uses more fuel than idling.
Fact: Sitting with the engine running for 10 seconds uses more fuel than switching off and on.
Myth: Engines need to be kept running when it’s cold, to keep the vehicle and passengers warm.
Fact: It can 30 - 60 minutes for an engine to cool down after it is switched off. Turning off the engine but keeping the ignition on and the fan blowing, will provide warm air for some time.
Myth: If I sit inside my car, I am protected from air pollution outside
Fact: Air quality inside a vehicle is worse than the air quality outside. This is because you are sitting in a plume of exhaust emitted from the vehicle in front of you, which is sucked through your vehicle’s ventilation system into your cabin.
Myth: An idling engine doesn’t contribute much to local air pollution
Fact: An idling engine is a significant contributor to local air pollution and can produce up to twice as many exhaust emissions as an engine in motion.
Myth: It’s not against the law to leave my engine running when stationary
Fact: It is an offence under section 42 of the Road Traffic Act 1988. The Act enforces rule 123 of the Highway Code which states: “You must not leave a vehicle’s engine running unnecessarily while that vehicle is stationary on a public road.” In addition, Regulation 98 of the Road Vehicles (Construction and Use) Regulations 1986, as amended, makes it a requirement for drivers to switch off engines in stationary vehicles. Regulation 12 of The Road Traffic (Vehicle Emissions) (Fixed Penalty) (England) Regulations 2002, gives Local Authorities the powers to enforce the switching off of engines when vehicles are stationary on the roadside. This enables local authorities to issue a Fixed Penalty Notice of (FPN) £20 to a driver who is committing an offense by idling their vehicle’s engine.
