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Heatwave Idling Fines: Stay Cool, Stay Legal
24 Jun
Summary
- Motorists idling cars risk fines for air pollution.
- Idling can result in fines of £40 to £110 depending on location.
- Extreme heat warnings are in place for parts of the UK.
Motorists are being warned that idling their vehicle's engine, even to run the air conditioning during the current heatwave, could lead to fines due to air pollution laws. Standard penalties for idling are £40, potentially rising to £80 or even £110 in specific areas like London's Islington Council. The RAC advises drivers to delay non-essential trips during the extreme heat.
This advice coincides with forecasts predicting temperatures could reach 40C in parts of England and Wales, with the Met Office issuing an amber warning for exceptional heat. These conditions pose a danger to life and could impact public health and infrastructure. The UK's all-time high of 40.3C could be challenged, surpassing the previous June record set in 1976.
