One of nursery staff left their car running

Edit: you amended your post while I was typing to add the "on private land" qualifier.

It is illegal to leave the car running!

https://highwaycode.org.uk/rule-123/

"You MUST NOT leave a parked vehicle unattended with the engine running or leave a vehicle engine running unnecessarily while that vehicle is stationary on a public road. Generally, if the vehicle is stationary and is likely to remain so for more than a couple of minutes, you should apply the parking brake and switch off the engine to reduce emissions and noise pollution. However it is permissible to leave the engine running if the vehicle is stationary in traffic or for diagnosing faults."

Note the use of "must" here - this indicates it is illegal, and not merely recommend practice.

I live next to a school and see moron parents doing this all the time - I wouldn't trouble the school with this. I just roll my eyes endlessly.

It’s not illegal to leave the car running on private land so is she the nursery car park or on the road? the child in the back realising the handbrake causes the same issue whether the car is running or not cos it will just roll unless they press the accelerator as well

Being a stressed working mum isn't a carte blanche to break the law...

Why is there a child in the car? I thought you said she was dropping them off? And why didn't you mention that originally? I think you just don't like this staff member and are looking for an excuse to get her in trouble.
Who are you going to report her to? Nursery or police? It is illegal but I doubt the police will do much. It's not on nursery grounds so they might tell her not to do it but I'm not sure if they will actually do anything.

... get in her car and drive it round the corner...?? ffs

oh my goddddd....

what do you think the chances are of the child randomly getting out of seat, then releasing handbrake, or it to then somehow go forward and crush an unattended small child ffs

you're the same kind of person who think cars will spontaneously combust on petrol forecourts if a child is left in car whilst adult pays...

I can't stand people leaving their engines running but why would you report her? And to who?

Of course you should report a working mum who is running herself ragged on the nursery run. She obviously hasn't got enough stress in her life.
A mum at infant school was always reporting ' safeguarding concerns'. One was, a father was smoking wacky baccy 2 miles away from the school. Another, that siblings were mixing during covid. I have no idea what the head was supposed to do about it. We all enjoyed the entertainment.

Park it round the corner

The mind your own business comments are ridiculous this site is specifically about not minding your own business!

She is probably complaining about fuel prices as well!

People who leave their cars idling are probably the type to throw litter out of their cars as well. Just selfish people who don't care about the affect they have on their surroundings

Shall we ignore all infractions or just the ones you consider ok?

Doesn't surprise me given how many people I witness sitting in idling cars.

What if the vehicle rolled forward and killed one or more little children?

I know someone who got out of their car to move a dustbin so she could get her car on the drive. The car rolled forward. Her toddler was in the car.

Fortunately the toddler managed ro free themselves from the seat and pass the phone to her and she called an ambulance.

Not sure who you're thinking of reporting her to - but if you're really concerned about the child, you'd be better having a word with her thus:

"Jenny, I noticed yesterday that you left Bilbo in the car and left it running whilst you dropped Nimrod off at nursery. I hope you don't mind me saying, but you mustn't do that - it's not only illegal to leave the car running, it's dangerous for Bilbo. I could help you by...!

Or you could care about the welfare of a child left in a car.

Just concentrate on your life, understand you share it with billions of other people who are all on their own journeys, you will have a pretty miserable existence if you spend your time and energy trying to report people/catch people out/ get them in trouble because they are doing something you wouldn't do.

It is surprising isn't it.

Leaving a car engine running. Road Highway Act - 123.

The car could roll forwards or backwards, get stolen etc.

@MidnightPatrol, @tooloololoo and others.

As for leaving a child in the car - words fail me!

The level of ignorance on this thread amazes me.

I suspect it's illegal to leave the engine running while unattended.

Some councils have policies/penalties for cars left idling.

If it's pinched insurance will tell her to take a running jump.

Agreed, I am completely astounded that so many people who apparently hold a driving licence don't know this.

FFS, I've never driven but even I know it's illegal to leave your car running. 🤦🏻‍♀️

Whats that got to do with anything? I am fortunately not around places where kids are and if one parent wants to poison the air that their children and others are breathing, I have no buy in. I also think if people are assholes enough to do this they are not likely to be open to a stranger telling them to stop. But if I had kids playing and another parent was doing this - yes, I would report, tell them to stop, whatever.