Technical Notes 2023, Issue 37 - Vehicle Engine Idling – “Breathe Easier” Campaign
Section
- Vehicle engine fumes are accepted to be the primary source of air pollution arising within East Dunbartonshire, and are also known to negatively impact on human health.
- During 2006, East Dunbartonshire Council adopted powers in terms of the Road Traffic Act 1988 which allows authorised officers of the Council to issue fixed penalty notices (FPN) for the offence of unnecessarily idling a vehicle engine on a public road.
- However, subsequent guidance issued by the Scottish Government indicates that an educational approach is preferable to enforcement, and that FPNs should only be served where a driver refuses to turn off their engine after having been asked by an authorised officer to do so.
- In the years since these powers were adopted, Environmental Health staff have routinely carried out patrols to educate drivers regarding the requirements to avoid idling and have located numerous “no idling” signs on lamp posts in problem areas, particularly those surrounding schools. Promotion of the “turn it off” message has also taken place annually to reach a wider audience with radio adverts, billboards and bus-stop posters all having been utilised.
- East Dunbartonshire Council, working in partnership with North Lanarkshire Council and South Lanarkshire Council, also receive grant funding from the Scottish Government specifically for the purpose of improving air quality related to engine idling. This includes the funding of awareness raising campaigns and idling patrols. Over seventy idling patrols were carried out in 2022, mostly in the vicinity of schools
- A new local advertising campaign has been arranged for the two week period commencing 6 March 2023, in the hope of reinforcing the message that drivers should turn off their engines when parked, This campaign uses fresh artwork carrying the “Breathe Easier” message, and promoting three primary reasons to switch off engines; to promote health, to improve the environment and to save money.
- The campaign involves the use of online and radio advertising, as well as the use of an advertising bike and rider handing out leaflets and branded car air fresheners to parents outside primary schools over the two week period of the campaign. An example of the leaflet being distributed is attached below.
- Additionally, officers from Environmental Health will be continuing to carry out a number of targeted patrols where complaints of idling are received, and particularly around schools, during the drop-off and pick-up periods.
