Motorists in London seeking relief from the heat by sitting in stationary vehicles with the air conditioning running are being cautioned that they could face fines under emissions regulations. The RAC has highlighted that remaining in a car with the engine idling contributes to air pollution.
Standard Penalties and Local Variations
Standard penalties for idling are £40 if issued by a police officer, or £80 from a civil enforcement officer, with both amounts halved for prompt payment. However, some local authorities utilize their powers to impose larger fines. In London, Islington Council, for example, issues £110 fines to individuals who refuse to switch off an idling engine after being asked.
RAC Advice and Warnings
RAC senior policy officer Rod Dennis stated: “Air conditioning is a gamechanger in modern vehicles, making otherwise uncomfortable journeys by road a genuinely pleasant experience. We even advise those driving vehicles without air-con to consider delaying any non-essential trips this week until the heatwave passes. But while we’re all desperate to stay cool, just sitting in the car with the engine and air-conditioning running and going nowhere isn’t advisable. Due to the air pollution this causes, you risk a fine from a police or civil enforcement officer.”
Government Plans for Higher Fines
In 2019, the Conservative government announced plans to introduce higher fines for drivers who idle, but this never took place. Lord Chris Grayling, then-transport secretary, said at the time that combating idling would be “an easy way to drive down dangerously high levels of pollution.”
