A new rule change aimed at cutting vehicle emissions comes into force in Wales later this month, reports North Wales Live. Under existing legislation, Rule 123 of the Highway Code advises motorists to turn off their engine when their vehicle is stationary on a public road.
In certain circumstances, leaving a vehicle’s engine running while stationary is an offence that could result in either a criminal conviction or a Fixed Penalty Notice (FPN),
Local authorities across Wales and elsewhere in the UK already hold powers to issue £20 fines to drivers for “engine idling” – typically enforced near schools and healthcare settings.
In Wales, this penalty can increase to £40 if the fine remains unpaid within a specified timeframe. Such fines are issued when a driver fails to comply with a request from a local authority traffic officer to switch off their engine.
A revised penalty range of £75 to £150 will come into force from September 30. The initiative is designed to cut emissions at critical sites.
The government has highlighted that every minute a car engine remains running while stationary, it generates enough exhaust to fill up to 150 balloons with harmful pollutants, including cyanide, nitrogen oxides (NOx) and fine particulate matter.
The Welsh Government stated: “Tackling Stationary Idling can reduce avoidable emissions at the point of exposure and help protect the most vulnerable and affected groups and communities – particularly around schools, care homes, and other areas where people are most at risk.”
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