Engine idling is banned in Scotland – yet no one is enforcing it

A coalition of more than twenty organisations, including councillors, health professionals, teachers, and NGOs, have joined forces to urge the Scottish government to better enforce the ban on engine idling.

Engine idling: where’s the enforcement of the ban?

Engine idling, leaving a vehicle’s engine running while stationary, is already prohibited in Scotland because it releases toxic exhaust fumes that are harmful to human health and the environment. Yet despite over 1,000 complaints of idling from members of the public since 2019, there has been a systemic failure to enforce the ban, according to data uncovered by the Environmental Rights Centre for Scotland (ERCS) and Asthma + Lung UK.

There is extensive evidence linking vehicle emissions to diseases including lung cancer and asthma. Children, older people, pregnant women, and people with existing health conditions are particularly vulnerable and exposed to toxic exhaust fumes at idling hotspots such as schools, hospitals, and bus stops.

Studies have found that in comparison to idling, switching the engine off significantly cuts pollution, even when stopping for only 30 seconds. Yet the current enforcement regime is failing to deter engine idling – Scottish government guidance discourages local authorities from issuing fines, which can only be issued as a last resort if drivers refuse to switch off engines.

The current fine of £20 has not kept pace with inflation, remaining at the same rate as when it was introduced more than twenty years ago.

Three measures are needed

Now a growing coalition, including conveners of transport and environment committees in Scotland’s four largest local authorities, health professionals, children’s, parents, and teachers groups, and environmental and public health charities, has written to the cabinet secretary for transport demanding action.

The coalition is proposing three measures to enforce the ban: increase the level of fines to act as a meaningful deterrent; improve the government’s guidance to extend enforcement powers; and enforce local authority monitoring and reporting requirements.

Shivali Fifield, Chief Officer at ERCS, said:

In 2024, the government stated its vision for Scotland to have the cleanest air in Europe – if they are serious about delivering on that ambition, then effective enforcement of the laws we already have to cut air pollution is an obvious place to start.

Engine idling exposes us to toxic exhaust fumes every single day, and like smoking in restaurants, is a habit that should be condemned to the dustbin of history. Yet despite public outrage, it continues unabated – with a toothless enforcement regime that does nothing to deter offenders.

There is a straightforward solution to solve this scandal – empowering local authorities to enforce the ban that already exists in law

Cllr Angus Millar, transport convener at Glasgow City Council said:

While engine idling remains a significant issue throughout our cities and towns, the limitations of Scotland’s current enforcement guidance means Councils are unable to provide an effective and lasting deterrent to this behaviour. Enforcement can currently only take place in very limited circumstances, and in the very few cases where penalties are issued these are at a historically low level set decades ago.

It’s clear that in order to seriously tackle the problem of idling, education and awareness-raising around health and environmental impacts need to be coupled with more robust and updated enforcement powers for local authorities, and Glasgow City Council looks forward to engaging with partners on seeking improvements to the enforcement regime.

Engine idling has to stop

Gareth Brown, Chair of Healthy Air Scotland and Policy & Public Affairs Officer (Scotland) for Asthma + Lung UK, said:

Poor air quality contributes to up to 2,700 premature deaths each year in Scotland. It creates new lung conditions, worsens existing ones leading to an increase in hospitalisations and is linked to lung cancer, cardiovascular disease and stunted lung growth in children. People want to see more action to tackle this problem. Our annual polling of 1000 Scots, shows time and time again that people want more to be done about idling outside schools in particular.

Exhaust emissions from cars contain dangerous toxins such as carbon monoxide, nitrogen dioxide and particulate matter. It is vitally important that we protect the lungs and health of our children, no one should be forced to breathe in harmful pollutants. Many people mistakenly believe that stopping a car engine, only to restart it a minute or two later, causes more pollution than idling. It doesn’t.

Mike Corbett, Scotland National Official at NASUWT teachers’ union, said:

Vehicle pollution can have a long-lasting impact on the health of children and young people. But drivers, local authorities and the Scottish Government can all play their part in reducing the harms caused.

Drivers can ensure they switch off their vehicles while waiting outside schools and the Scottish Government can empower local authorities to enact and enforce laws on vehicle idling to act as a deterrent.

Communities would all benefit from cleaner air and an improved environment at little inconvenience to drivers.

Featured image via the Canary