It has been dubbed as yet another form of tax on motorists, as new fines are to be introduced next month which will see motorists that leave their cars idling face a penalty of £20. Primarily, the changes will hit London motorists, with two boroughs said to be preparing 100 officers to enforce the little known law and the newly proposed fines.
The fines are intended as a last resort, and will apparently only be given if a motorist refuses to turn off their engines, but critics and motoring groups have said that it is little more than a tax on car owners, and have said that councils should chase larger vehicles in order to reduce emissions because this is where the greatest reductions can be made. Fines will not be given to those at red lights or waiting in traffic, apparently.
Traffic wardens and lawmakers have come under fire in recent years, with those in London bearing the brunt of drivers’ angst. The introduction of new fines, congestion charges, and additional charges have left motorists fuming, and the fact that at least two councils will start clamping down on idling motorists from 1st May is unlikely to improve matters. However, the councils have said that they are taking steps to help reduce emissions levels.
Motoring groups have said that the law, which was introduced quietly by the government in 2002, will do little to help reduce emissions levels but said that it would be better to concentrate efforts on large vehicles, and also on helping to curb traffic congestion. Research suggests that 30% of car emissions come from cars stuck in heavy traffic, and taxi groups have said that the government should pay more attention to reducing traffic jams and queueing in order to help meet targets. Other groups have said that large vehicles like HGVs give off a greater amount of emissions and would prove to be a better and more effective target.
London isn’t the only area that is believed to be introducing these changes, with a number of councils already warning drivers that they could face fines of £20, and also highlighting the risks posed by parents that leave their cars idling while dropping children off at school.
