Switch off your engine for cleaner air
The ‘Switch off your engine for cleaner air’ campaign encourages drivers to avoid idling vehicles, wherever possible, to reduce vehicle emissions and tackle unnecessary air pollution.
What is idling?
Idling is when you leave your engine running while your vehicle is stationary (parked or waiting). The Highway Code (rule 123) states: “You MUST NOT leave a parked vehicle unattended with the engine running or leave a vehicle engine running unnecessarily while that vehicle is stationary on a public road”.
Reasons why idling is wrong
- One minute of vehicle idling produces toxic emissions to fill approximately 60 people’s lungs
- People inside an idling vehicle are exposed to high levels of air pollution
- Exhaust fumes contain a number of harmful gases and particles which are linked to diseases
- These gases are bad for the environment
- Idling wastes both fuel and money
- Children and elderly people are more at risk from the health impacts of air pollution
How you can help
Switch off your engine when…
- Stuck in non-moving traffic
- Parked up
- Loading/unloading
- Waiting to drop off/pick up a passenger
- Your vehicle is unattended
- Walk or cycle instead of driving whenever possible
Did you know?
If it’s cold outside, your car will stay warm for up to 60 minutes after switching the engine off. Turning off an engine and then restarting it after a minute will cause less pollution than letting it run. It also uses less fuel. Stopping and starting your engine does not wear out the engine.
Idling outside schools
Idling vehicles outside of schools is recognised as one of the biggest contributors to air pollution around schools. The aim of this campaign is to encourage drivers to switch off their vehicle’s engine when dropping off or waiting near a school. If you are a school in Leicester and have identified problems with vehicle idling during drop off/pick up periods, please email the Choose How You Move team for advice and support.