Drivers risk £110 fines for trying to keep cool in stationary cars with air con

Turns out this heatwave is also an expensive one

The RAC has issued the latest warning as it said that if you remain in your car with its engine idling, this causes air pollution.

It also revealed that the driver doesn’t need to be in the vehicle for an offence to be committed.

This means that those that leave their engines running to cool their cars before they set off for a journey could also be caught out.

If caught by a police officer, you could get fined £40, or double that amount, £80, if you’re caught by a civil enforcement officer.

However, both of these fines are halved if you pay them quickly.

Meanwhile, some local authorities use their power to impose larger fines.

Where the fines could be larger

According to Islington Council, its enforcement officers issue £110 fines to people who refuse to switch off an idling engine after being asked.

“Air conditioning is a gamechanger in modern vehicles, making otherwise uncomfortable journeys by road a genuinely pleasant experience”, RAC senior policy officer Rod Dennis said.

“We even advise those driving vehicles without air-con to consider delaying any non-essential trips this week until the heatwave passes”, he added.

“But while we’re all desperate to stay cool, just sitting in the car with the engine and air-conditioning running and going nowhere isn’t advisable. Due to the air pollution this causes, you risk a fine from a police or civil enforcement officer.”

While the Conservative government in 2019 announced plans to introduce higher fines for drivers who idle, this never took place.

Then-transport secretary, Lord Chris Grayling, said at the time that combating idling would be “an easy way to drive down dangerously high levels of pollution”.

The latest warning comes as UK is going through a heatwave and as last night (Wednesday June 24) was likely the hottest June night on record.

And instead of sitting in your stationary car just to cool down, there are in fact several alternatives how you can do this in your house.