Aibu to ask parents to shut off their engines whilst dropping kids at nursery

[Higgeldypiggeldy35]

Real bee in my bonnet today because for the 4th day in a row when dropping off my toddler at nursery and trying to wrestle him back into his shoes/coat, some thoughtless parent has left the engine running on their car whilst dropping off their kid and having a chat with staff. I'm pregnant so maybe I'm a bit more sensitive to the smell of car fumes but it was making me gag, by I'm more concerned about the little toddlers running around at fumes height. I've asked them to request parents turn their engines off when in the car park. Now I'm worried I'll be seen as THAT parent haha. I think their should be signs up in the car park because I'm sure most parents don't want their and other folk's kids exposed to toxic fumes, but why don't they just think?!

[user1494050295]

You are not unreasonable it’s an effing disgrace people do this

[Wigglegiggle0520]

I don’t think you’re unreasonable OP I’d feel the same.
Additionally it’s illegal. I’d be pointing this out to nursery and the danger it places toddlers in should an attempt theft occur.

[Disappointedkoala]

I hate this. Annoys me at the supermarket too.

[ivykaty44]

Pollution leads to 40000 early deaths each year, you’re not wrong

Leaving an engine idling for 1 minute fills the equivalent of 150 balloons with poisonous gases

If a child is sat in the car it’s is worse for them inside the car than outside and will damage the young lungs

[Higgeldypiggeldy35]

That's interesting I didn't know it was illegal. Sometimes there are two parents and one stays in the car with the engine running. Sometimes parent leaves car unattended and nips kid in with engine running. Makes no sense

[40weekswithno2]

Yanbu. I hate this.

[Higgeldypiggeldy35]

@ivykaty44 euggh that's awful. And then sometimes you have 3-4 cars all at the same time. It's the same at the train station when I'm waiting to pick up DH. Some idiot will sit with the engine on.

[Frazzled2207]

I’m also pretty sure it’s against the law. A disgrace. I would ask nursery to send communication to all parents asking them not to do this. Have to admit I was really ignorant about this sort of thing before seeing a documentary about how dangerous fumes (esp diesel) are for young children. We now have an electric car!

[ivykaty44]

It’s not illegal per say

It’s a must not in the Highway Code

[40weekswithno2]

@ivykaty44 it's a fineable offence

[ivykaty44]

www.theguardian.com/environment/2017/jun/12/children-risk-air-pollution-cars-former-uk-chief-scientist-warns

[Higgeldypiggeldy35]

@frazzled2207 that's what I've asked. It's a wonderful nursery and I'm sure they don't want the fumes coming in through their windows and doors either. I just don't understand people that live in their own world and don't think about their impact. Gives me rage. But that could also be pregnancy hormones

[EmeraldShamrock]

Maybe ask will nursery is send out a letter? Idiots leaving the engine running some people are so selfish at drop off between parking anywhere and engine running.

[MiddleClassMother]

It's really frustrating when people do this, nearly every car is left running with the keys in the ignition outside my kids school (even when they're left unattended!)
I normally go "you forgot to turn your engine off" which sometimes works. One other mum once told me she couldn't turn it off because she was charging her phone! It baffles me

[Wigglegiggle0520]

It’s illegal. It’s called quitting and contrary to section 42 of the road traffic act.

[ivykaty44]

40weekswithno2

I’d like to see points on licences for idling when parked

Though if you get filmed idling when stopped using your mobile you’ll get 6 points

[Higgeldypiggeldy35]

@middleclassmother omg that's so pathetic isn't it. 5 mins of charge will make no sodding difference, I shouldn't have started this thread it's making me madder hahaha

[Higgeldypiggeldy35]

@emeraldshamrock that's what I've asked them to do. Grown adults really shouldn't need telling and I expect that those that do it don't care and will ignore said letter, grrr

[nosswith]

Film a couple of them, report to the police.

Unfortunately the best option which would be if the car was unlocked to get in and drive it half a mile away and leave it there would probably end up with your being accused of theft.

[goingtosnow]

@nosswith

Film a couple of them, report to the police.

Unfortunately the best option which would be if the car was unlocked to get in and drive it half a mile away and leave it there would probably end up with your being accused of theft.

Don't do that please, it actually is theft

[hardyloveit]

Op do you go to our nursery?! It happens a lot there too! One woman in particular will leave older child in car then car is running. However because of covid only 1-2 parents are allowed in at one time so he has to queue so the car is on for up to 10-15 mins sometimes!

[Higgeldypiggeldy35]

@nosswith then I really WILL be known as that parent, that stole a car haha. Think I'll stick to passive aggressive scowling and running to management

[MagnoliaBeige]

I didn’t realise it was illegal, I often used to sit in my car with the engine running whilst my child attended their activity, was freezing otherwise.

[Higgeldypiggeldy35]

@hardyloveit unfortunately I expect their are ignorant prats all around the country doing exactly that.

[BecomeStronger]

I think this is awful outside all school but people need their heating on while they wait.

It needs a proper public health campaign, to male it unacceptable, like smoking with children. It won't stop everyone but it would make a difference, I expect most people don't realise how harmful it is, or are kidding themselves "just this once, I won't be long".