Drivers breaking Highway Code rule 'every day' in winter and face £80 fine

Drivers are breaking a Highway Code rule "every day" in winter and face £80 fines. Swansway Motor Group has warned idling is illegal, with offending motorists who are guilty of while heating up their car running the risk of a fine of up to £80.

"This rule aims to reduce emissions and minimise health risks. However, fines may soon increase as councils try to deter idling more effectively," the experts warned. "A higher penalty would remind drivers of the environmental and health risks associated with idling."

They added: "These emissions contribute directly to climate change and have immediate health consequences. While newer vehicles are designed to minimise emissions, it’s always best to switch off your engine when it’s unnecessary to keep it on."

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Nicholas Lyes of the RAC says: “Idling your engine wastes fuel, money and means you are unnecessarily emitting air pollutants. If your car has stop-start technology we strongly recommend you use it to help cut down on harmful emissions. Drivers shouldn’t worry about start-stop as modern car batteries are designed to be switched on and off regularly and generally only engage the technology once the engine has been running for a while anyway.

“Those with older cars without the technology should consider also manually switching their engines off when stationary for extended periods to help protect the health of those around them.” Idling Action’s 2020 research study with Transport Research Laboratory found that it can cost up to 3p for every minute spent idling.

It also found that if that vehicle idled for 10 minutes per day, within 6 months that would equate to a cost of over £58 and idling for just 30 seconds produces twice as much pollution and wastes more fuel than switching off and restarting your engine. .

These costs are likely to be even higher now with the recent petrol price increases.