We all do it, probably without even realising. You're waiting to pick someone up, whether it be a relative, a friend, or your kids from school.
And at this time of year the chances are you'll sit there waiting with the engine running, to keep the heater working inside your car. But now a warning has been issued that parents and carers doing this on the school run are risking a fine of £20, which could double to £40 if it's not paid within four weeks.
Known as 'idling', the act of leaving your car's engine running while stationary is a waste of fuel and harmful to the environment, reports the Liverpool ECHO. What's more, it's actually banned near schools due to the air pollution caused.
The warning from Quotezone.co.uk comes as new research carried out by the company found 11% of drivers failed to turn off their engines while waiting outside school.
Quotezone.co.uk founder Greg Wilson said: “It can be tempting to leave the engine running during the colder, darker months, but drivers need to be aware that by running their engines, they are wasting fuel and potentially damaging the health of the school children who may be breathing in harmful fumes.
“Vehicle emissions are especially harmful for kids as they breathe more rapidly than adults and therefore take in more pollution. They’re also costing themselves money by burning fuel they could be conserving and that’s not to mention the long-term damage to the environment and the air quality.”
Researchers polled 1,000 motorists to ask them about their school run habits.
