Vehicle engine idling: switch off when you stop

Vehicle idling means leaving your engine running when your car isn’t moving. 

Why engine idling is harmful

Vehicle idling creates harmful air pollution – a major threat to human health. This pollution is directly linked to serious heart and lung diseases.

In Scotland, air pollution is linked to around 2,700 deaths each year. (Source: Chemical hazards and poisons report)

Children are particularly vulnerable because their airways are smaller and still developing. They also breathe quicker than adults. This means they take in more polluted air compared to their size. This leads to increased hospital admissions for children with lung conditions like asthma and chest infections. Find out more about the health impacts of air pollution at the Public Health Scotland website.

Idling your vehicle for just 30 seconds creates nearly twice as much pollution as switching off and then restarting your engine. (Source: Idling Action London) 

Vehicle idling is against the law

Vehicle idling is illegal in Scotland. 

Your local council can issue you with a £20 fixed penalty notice for leaving your engine running unnecessarily.

Benefits of switching your engine off

When you switch off your engine while your car is stopped, you:

• reduce health problems linked to air pollution including stroke, heart disease, lung cancer and breathing problems
• reduce your fuel use which will save you money
• help create cleaner air and protect the planet

What else you can do to improve air quality

As well as switching off your engine whenever you stop, you can also improve Scotland’s air quality by:

• using public transport for short trips
• walking, wheeling or cycling when possible

For more information on active travel visit: Travel less by car | Net Zero Nation

Remember, switch off your engine when you stop.