Wales Raises Engine Idling Fine to £150 for Drivers

Drivers in Wales Face Up to £150 Fine for Leaving Engines Running

Wales Raises Engine Idling Fines to £150 for Drivers Who Leave Cars Running Drivers in Wales who leave their vehicle engine running while parked can now face fines of up to £150 under new rules introduced to reduce pollution. The previous fixed penalty for engine idling was £20, but the Welsh Government has increased the available fines to between £75 and £150 depending on the circumstances. The new measure came into force on Wednesday and is intended to encourage drivers to switch off their engines when their vehicles are stationary. New fines target unnecessary engine idling The Welsh Government said the higher penalties are designed to act as a stronger deterrent and help reduce harmful pollution in communities. Llyr Gruffydd, cabinet minister for rural resilience and sustainability, said the previous £20 fine was insufficient and was not being used in the way intended. He said the higher fines should help change the habits of drivers whose vehicles contribute to pollution, particularly in areas where children and other vulnerable people are present. Schools among areas of concern Areas outside schools have been identified as high-risk locations because of concerns about vehicle emissions. The issue has also attracted attention from parents in Cardiff, where congestion around one school was described as making the area extremely busy during collection times. One parent said it had previously taken her 45 minutes to get away from the area because of the number of cars. Another parent supported the principle of the new rules but questioned whether the penalties would be actively enforced during busy school-run periods. Highway Code already covers engine idling The new fines come alongside existing guidance in Rule 123 of the Highway Code. The rule states that drivers must not leave a parked vehicle unattended with its engine running or leave an engine running unnecessarily while a vehicle is stationary on a public road. Hospitals, GP surgeries, care homes and other healthcare facilities have also been identified as locations where emissions can be a particular concern. The Welsh Government says the higher penalties are intended to give local authorities greater scope to penalise drivers who leave their engines running unnecessarily. Why the rules are changing Professor Isabel Oliver, chief medical officer for Wales, described air pollution as a serious public health issue and said children, older people and those with existing health conditions can be particularly vulnerable. She said engine idling might appear to be a small everyday habit but that repeated idling contributes to pollution in the air around communities. The new measure follows a vote at the Senedd in March, when the new rules were approved by 37 votes to 12, with no abstentions. For drivers, the change means leaving a vehicle running while stopped is now potentially much more expensive in Wales than under the previous £20 penalty. Anyone stopping or parking near a school, hospital or other sensitive location should therefore be aware of the rules and avoid unnecessary engine idling.