School pick up

[trinity0097]

So I live next to a junior school, end of the day is 3.15pm. All well and good, I'm a teacher so never at home normally for the parking chaos outside, one of the reasons why we didn't care. They don't block us in or anything and we have a white bar line across our drive on the road to avoid that anyway. However I'm only working part time at the moment as I am ill, and discovered today Mum's parked outside when I got home at 2.40pm, ok, fair enough if you went to waste your life away by the side of the road, but they had their cars running. AIBU to think that they should be turning off their engines if they are parked up?

[Mediumred]

Jesus, it's illegal, as pp says it is massively polluting (and in a lot of U.K. cities over the past few days we have had dangerous levels of particulate polluting) and there's just no need for it. If you're chilly bring a coat to put on or a blanket to put over your kid if they're asleep.

[LadyWhoLikesLunch]

Regardless of whether or not its cold outside it is illegal to sit with your car engine running. Also sitting outside a school is particularly bad adding unnecessary exhaust for children to breath in.

[BurnTheBlackSuit]

Can I just ask about this law that's being cited. Can anyone quote it please?

I just looked at the Road Traffic Act 1988, section 42 as cited in the article from confused.com on the first page and it's nothing to do with not turning off engines:

[F142Breach of other construction and use requirements.

A person who—
(a)contravenes or fails to comply with any construction or use requirement other than one within section 41A(a) or 41B(1)(a) [F2or 41D] of this Act, or
(b)uses on a road a motor vehicle or trailer which does not comply with such a requirement, or causes or permits a motor vehicle or trailer to be so used,is guilty of an offence.]

[melj1213]

Regardless of the illegality of sitting with the engine idling for ages, it's bloody annoyng to have the sound of a car running just constantly outside the door, especially if it's a car that has a loud engine.

As I write this, a neighbour of mine has had the car running for ages, he brings his three kids home from school and pretty much every day at least one of the kids, if not all of them, has an after school activity. Rather than go in and wait, he waits in the car for them to go in, get changed and come back out with all their kit. On days when it's just one kid it isn't too bad, but if all three of them are going to activities he can be sat there for easily twenty minutes. It wouldn't be so bad but his engine is LOUD, if you didn't know better you'd think that it was in the room with you.

I don't mind as usually I am either at work or getting ready for a late shift anyway, but for the last week or so I have been off work ill, like the OP, and it's loud enough that every day it disturbs me from napping/resting and there's very little I can do but grit my teeth and wait for him to leave so I can get some peace and quiet back. But going to say something just sounds petty, and an argument I really can't be bothered getting into.

[trinity0097]

I've just looked it up. Rule 123

www.gov.uk/guidance/the-highway-code/general-rules-techniques-and-advice-for-all-drivers-and-riders-103-to-158

[Forkrightorf]

30 minutes before the end of the day is practically dawdling round here. Our school finishes at 3.10pm and some parents arrive at 2pm to get one of the 5 spaces outside school. Heaven forbid they should subject themselves to the 5 minute walk from the large car park that the school hire just down the road. Bonkers.
YANBU op, leaving the engine running is v environmentally unfriendly.

[Twopeapods]

I don't know what the obsession is with being parked the closest. We live next to a primary school 100 yards and I actually laugh to see parents sitting for an hour before school finishes. At most they are saving themselves a 1 minute walk as there is plenty parking. I can think of many things I would rather do for an hour.

[KathArtic]

... and in the summer they sit with the windows opens and music on

[trinity0097]

I've not noticed any awful parking yet, there is an unofficial one way system for the parents to help ease things.

They obviously have money to burn.

Why not park up, then go for a brisk walk around the block, get a bit of exercise in. Ironically the car right outside switched off their engine just at actual pick-up time to get out to fetch the child/children from the gate!

[IAmAGnu]

What do all you people who can't see a problem with leaving your engine on think your cars are powered by? Fairy dust? Fumes from cars are a massive pollutant, you are adding to that by not switching your engine off. It's like standing next to someone and smoking.

[BurnTheBlackSuit]

@trinity0097

Thank you!