Ahead of the new school years, parents have been warned it is a criminal offence to leave a car idling unnecessarily and risk hefty fines if they break the law while on school-run duty.
Car insurance comparison provider Tiger.co.uk are reminding drivers to switch off their engines while waiting outside schools to reduce air and noise pollution.
Vehicle idling is prohibited under Section 42 of the Road Traffic Act, which states that “you must not leave a vehicle’s engine running unnecessarily while that vehicle is stationary on a public road”.
With pupils returning to school as the summer holidays draw to a close, families will be back in the routine of dropping off and picking up their kids, often by car.
Avoiding idling in school areas is especially important because the harmful emissions can damage children’s health, Tiger.co.uk says.
Drivers who breach the law by leaving their engines running unnecessarily, risk receiving a £20 penalty notice that will double if not paid in full within 28 days.
The penalties are even higher in parts of London, where motorists can be issued with a fine of up to £80.
Ian Wilson, managing director at Tiger.co.uk, said: “Many drivers who leave their engines running for convenience while waiting to collect their children are unaware of the negative effects it can have on the little ones’ health and also the environment.
“Vehicle emissions are especially harmful to kids as they breathe more rapidly than adults and therefore take in more pollution.
“The best solution would be for more parents to do the school run by walking or cycling, but if that’s not possible, then making sure that the engine is switched off while waiting plays a significant part in improving the air quality as well.”
Based in New York, Stephen Freeman is a Senior Editor at Trending Insurance News. Previously he has worked for Forbes and The Huffington Post. Steven is a graduate of Risk Management at the University of New York.