While councils already have the power to take action against drivers who idle their vehicles while parked; in the form a £20 fine, only a few choose to take enforcement action. Earlier this year, the Government said that it intended to launch a public consultation that looked at increasing fines for idling drivers with some reports suggesting they could raise to up to £1,000.
Now seven-in-ten drivers (72%) say they want to see councils tackle drivers who leave their engines running when parked. With 44% of those saying officials should tell them to switch off and then fine them if they refuse, according to an RAC survey of more than 2,000 people.
The survey has been conducted amid growing public anger over the impact that vehicle emissions have on the environment and public health as witnessed by the ongoing Extinction Rebellion climate change protests in London.
RAC head of roads policy Nicholas Lyes said: “It is clear from our research that the vast majority of drivers want to see local councils taking some form of action against those who do this. This is no doubt needed to bring about a change in behaviour. The presence of enforcement officers and ‘no engine idling’ signs, complete with penalties, must be the next step in making our urban environments better for everyone who lives, drives and works in them”.