New research by the RAC reveals that a significant majority of drivers support local councils taking action against motorists who leave their engines idling while parked. Seven out of ten drivers believe councils should address the issue of needlessly polluting engines. Specifically, 44% of these respondents think that officials should first instruct drivers to turn off their engines and then impose fines if they refuse to comply.
Despite the fact that councils currently have the authority to issue £20 fines for engine idling, enforcement is rare. The survey of 2,130 drivers highlights that only a few councils actively utilize this power. However, a growing awareness of environmental concerns is driving public opinion toward stricter enforcement.
The problem of engine idling is evidently widespread, with 88% of respondents reporting that they have observed drivers parked with engines running. This includes 40% who witness it regularly and 48% who see it occasionally. Only 7% claimed they had never seen such behavior, and 5% were unsure.
The locations where idling is most commonly observed include roadsides in towns and cities (30%), but alarmingly, 26% of respondents have seen this happening outside schools, where the impact on air quality can directly affect children.
Drivers’ awareness and sensitivity to the issue of engine idling have increased significantly. More than half of those surveyed (55%) expressed greater concern about vehicle emissions’ impact on the environment and public health than they did three years ago. This heightened concern aligns with a growing public consciousness about pollution and its detrimental effects.
When asked if they would turn off their engines to reduce pollution when stationary in various locations, nearly two-thirds (64%) said they would do so outside schools. Similarly, 62% would turn off their engines when parked at the side of an urban road or street, 53% outside a shop, and 53% in an urban car park.
However, attitudes differ significantly when it comes to turning off engines while stopped in traffic. Twenty-nine percent of respondents stated they would never turn off their engines, regardless of how long they were stationary. Among those willing to switch off, 18% would do so after five minutes, 13% after two minutes, and 11% after three minutes. Fifteen percent would wait six minutes before turning off their engines.
A notable difference in behavior was also observed between urban and rural environments. While 48% of drivers would turn off their engines when stationary in a town or city, only 39% would do so in the countryside. Alarmingly, 23% of respondents indicated they would not turn off their engines in any location.
The primary motivation for turning off engines while stationary was cost savings rather than environmental or health concerns. Thirty-seven percent of drivers said they turn off their engines to save fuel, while 35% do it to improve air quality. However, 29% admitted that it never occurs to them to turn off their engines.
“It is clear from our research that the vast majority of drivers are far more aware of the impact of vehicle emissions than they were three years ago,” said RAC head of roads policy Nicholas Lyes. He emphasized that drivers are increasingly conscious of the pollution caused by parked vehicles with running engines and would like to see local councils take action. At the very least, drivers want council officials to request that idling drivers turn off their engines.
Lyes compared the current situation with engine idling to the early days of the compulsory charge for supermarket carrier bags: everyone knew it was the right thing to do, but few complied until a charge was introduced.
In June of this year, the government announced plans to launch a public consultation to consider increasing fines for idling drivers. This move aims to further address the issue and reinforce the importance of reducing unnecessary vehicle emissions.
The RAC research highlights a growing public awareness and concern about vehicle emissions and the impact of engine idling. With substantial support for local councils to take action, it is clear that both policy changes and public education are crucial in tackling this issue. As awareness continues to rise, the hope is that more drivers will recognize the importance of turning off their engines to protect both the environment and public health.
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