When drivers leave the engine of their vehicle running whilst they have stopped their car, this is called “idling.” Now, in a bid to deal with rising air pollution, drivers who are repeatedly caught idling could be fined under plans that the government is considering.

Who wants the idling fine introduced

Local councils have been calling for tougher laws to tackle idling.  Under the current regulations,  fines can range from £20 to £80. Westminster city council has issued 39 penalty charge notices for idling since 2017. Westminster city has urged the government to allow the punishment of companies whose drivers are repeat offenders when it comes to idling, and suggested fines of more than £1,000 and have said that delivery drivers and commercial vehicles were the worst offenders.

Camden council would also like to be able to issue out instant fines to motorists. Adam Harris who is Camden’s cabinet member for environment told the Times: “While engagement [with the driver] is useful it is not going to cause everybody to change their behaviour in the way that getting a fine might.”

The environment secretary, Michael Gove also believes action should be taken. Gove told the Times that instant fines for repeat offenders should be considered but stressed that any new powers should be “used proportionately” by councils.

Why is the idling fine being introduced?

Idling is a significant contributor to air pollution.  Westminster council have said that an “idling car produces enough exhaust emissions to fill 150 balloons a minute.” The council has also called on the public to report unnecessary engine idling through its website, mention that the borough suffers from the worst air pollution in the country. There has also been a debate if cars should be banned from school roads due to the effect on air quality.

Vehicle Idling Action is a London-wide project that runs regular idling action events. On Vehicle Idling Action’s website they say there appears to be link between idling and air pollution.

On Vehicle Idling Action’s website, it says: “It would appear so. Air pollution levels were monitored during action days and were compared to days without idling action events. It showed that pollution peaks on idling action event days were lower overall than on days where there were no events.

We have also conducted air quality monitoring at some of our events. When stood next to an idling vehicle, pollution levels were about 10 times higher than the average air pollution levels during that event.”

You may not be aware, but if you suffer from certain medical conditions you must inform the DVLA (Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency). Failure to do so can result in a hefty fine or prosecution.

The rules

As the law stands, you must give up your licence if either your doctor tells you to stop driving for three months or more or you do not meet the required standards for driving because of your medical condition.

Under the rules, you must let the DVLA know if you develop a ‘notifiable’ medical condition. There are seven of these conditions and they can affect your driving ability. You can also be prosecuted if you’re involved in an accident as a result of a condition that you haven’t informed the DVLA of.

The seven ‘notifiable’ medical conditions

Diabetes: You need to inform the DVLA if your insulin treatment lasts for over three months, you have gestational diabetes and you needed treatment three months after birth or you get disabling hypoglycaemia (low blood sugar). You also need to notify the DVLA if a medical professional has told you are at risk of developing hypoglycaemia.

Blackouts, fainting (syncope), loss of consciousness: You need to ask your doctor if your blackouts, fainting or loss of consciousness will affect your driving ability. If they do, then you must tell the DVLA.

Heart conditions (including atrial fibrillation and pacemakers):  You must tell DVLA if you have an implanted defibrillator, also known as an ‘ICD’ (Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator). You must tell DVLA if you have been fitted with a pacemaker.

Sleep apnoea: You must tell the DVLA, if you suffer from objective sleep apnoea. You can also discuss with your doctor if your objective sleep apnoea will affect your driving.

Epilepsy: You must tell the DVLA if you have had any epileptic attacks, seizures, fits or blackouts. You must stop driving straight away. Your licence may be taken away and when you can reapply for it depends on the type of attack you had. If it is a one-off incident you can then reapply after six months if you haven’t had another epileptic attack.

Stroke (cerebrovascular accident) and driving: You only need to tell the DVLA if you’re having problems a month after you’ve had a stroke. You must tell the DVLA if you’ve had more than one stroke, if you need brain surgery or if your doctor is concerned about your capability to drive.

Glaucoma: You don’t need to tell DVLA if you’re diagnosed with glaucoma in one eye and your other eye is unaffected. But you must tell DVLA if your glaucoma affects one eye and either of the following also apply: you have a medical condition in your other eye or you can’t meet the visual standards for driving. You must tell DVLA if your glaucoma affects both eyes.

How do you notify the DVLA of your medical condition?

If you have one of these medical conditions and need to inform the DVLA then click HERE to do so.