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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Why do people sit in car park with their engines running

54 replies

greenenergy · 30/03/2017 21:03

Like the person next to me right now.

It's not cold. We are waiting 5 mins to pink up DC from gym.

It's a waste of petrol and pumping out fumes into the air for no apparent reason

OP posts:
Mumzypopz · 30/03/2017 21:05

Maybe they are cold. Often we have to sit outside an activity waiting for our kids, I'm cold but my partner isn't. Or maybe there is something wrong with their car and they are worried it won't start again.

PurpleDaisies · 30/03/2017 21:07

I agree with you. My car has stop start technology so I don't even have the engine running waiting for traffic lights to change.

memyselfandaye · 30/03/2017 21:07

In my case it's because I like the air con on, blasting in my face almost to the point of frostbite.

Original poster
greenenergy · 30/03/2017 21:07

It is 17 degrees. They are in a car

OP posts:
Foldedtshirt · 30/03/2017 21:08

Maybe they're cold but it's hardly Antarctica, is it? It's my absolute bugbear and inexcusable.

BagittoGo · 30/03/2017 21:08

They're probably the designated driver in bank robbery and will at any moment screech out of the car park. Tyres blazing! Or they're listening to music?

CrochetBelle · 30/03/2017 21:09

Charging phone?

OdinsLoveChild · 30/03/2017 21:09

I cant listen to my radio or have my heating/air con on without the engine being switched on. My cars old Blush

bigkidsdidit · 30/03/2017 21:09

It's so annoying. People wait on our street with the engine on, pumping out fumes. It's so antisocial.

Callaird · 30/03/2017 21:09

I'm usually running the engine to charge my phone!

WetsTheFinger · 30/03/2017 21:10

Cold?
Air con?
Radio?
Charging phone?
Using Bluetooth?

Lots of reasons.

Timefor2 · 30/03/2017 21:11

Baby/toddler asleep? Mine would wake the minute the engine got turned off when little

bigkidsdidit · 30/03/2017 21:11

Apparently you can be fined £20 for doing it

here

Monkeymarbles · 30/03/2017 21:12

Yeah I did it as only way to keep my twins asleep together was engine running. Felt awful about the environment but my sanity prevailed at the time

MissGoggins · 30/03/2017 21:14

BagittoGo Grin

Lazyafternoon · 30/03/2017 21:21

Do you really need the engine running to charge phone, have Bluetooth, air con, heating etc? I thought it was just having key turned in the ignition.

I agree people pumping fumes into the air, especially round schools, for no reason is a real bug bear of mine too. That and not using their bloody indicators. I'd take their licence away for either x

CMamaof4 · 30/03/2017 21:23

That's what I thought lazyafternoon, Mine all works on ignition, I don't get why people do it.

OdinsLoveChild · 30/03/2017 21:24

Lazyafternoon yes, I do need to have the engine on. If I listen tot he radio without it running then I get a flat battery. Its a known issue with my year and model of car. I have moved my car 5 feet before and completely killed the battery. I have also sat for 20 minutes waiting for children finishing clubs to find a dead battery. I just cant risk it by not starting the engine.

Maybe modern cars are better but mine is dreadful.

malmi · 30/03/2017 21:57

For most cars:

Do you really need the engine running to charge phone

No

have Bluetooth

No

air con

Yes

heating

Yes

etc

Depends!

Creampastry · 30/03/2017 22:00

Isn't it illegal to be stationery for extended periods with your engine on now?

doublesnap · 30/03/2017 22:18

They do it because they are inconsiderate and don't give a damn about polluting the air for the normal person in the next car who opens the windows when it is hot.

bunnylove99 · 30/03/2017 22:23

Yes. It's illegal to engine idle. People shouldn't do it. It's bad for everyone's health and the environment. Unfortunately some people don't care about that.Angry

Original poster
greenenergy · 30/03/2017 22:42

Glad its not just me who gets annoyed about this. I spend hours waiting for kids in the car. I just take some warm stuff to wear. Am interested that you can get prosecuted for it but unfortnately seems not to apply in private car parks.

It really annoys me when bus & coach drivers do this.

For the person who said their car is too old to charge a phone from their battery - ok maybe but most of the people I see doing it are driving huge f* off 4WD modern cars so not really needed. Plus they probably don't need a 4WD car anyway but that's a whole other AIBU.

OP posts:
MrsJamin · 30/03/2017 22:47

This absolutely and totally does my nut. The amount of people who sit in idling cars outside schools around drop off and pick up are the worst. Air pollution is literally killing people and they just want to charge phones or listen to the radio. There's absolutely no excuse.

CrochetBelle · 30/03/2017 22:50

Jeez I never knew you could be fined for idling. I often sit somewhere with my engine running for a few minutes with the heat blasting, then turn it off for a few mins, then on again when it cools down again. I really feel the cold in my hands and feet, and no amount of layering clothing helps.