To want to put stickers on idling cars

[CarsPunsAreExhausting]

I am getting so tired of the amount of traffic on the school run and especially people standing around with their engines running which increases the health problems involved a lot. Ideally the road would be closed completely to non-residents but as that seems too complicated to achieve at least the idling should be somehow dealt with as it’s not hard or disruptive to turn an engine off! I thought about getting stickers made asking people to turn it off and subtly sticking them on people’s car if they are idling but I don’t know if it’s too passive aggressive an approach? I’m not the most confrontational person and would struggle to just ask people (although I have done before) and also think the being shamed for it could be helpful! So I’d like to know people’s thoughts before doing so. There are endless meetings about the traffic situation at school yet nothing seems to be done and I thought this could be a small victory at least.

What does it say then? If you're so insistent you're not breaking the law, you should have some evidence, no?

However it is permissible to leave the engine running if the vehicle is stationary in traffic or for diagnosing faults.

This stance would read "however, the only permissible circumstances ..."

If those were the only permitted reasons, the word "only" would be on the sentence. It is not

Someone once walked past my car while it was sat “idling” and I heard them say to their son “see this idling car, unbelievable”.

Its electric. I had remote started it to cool it down for me before I got back to the car park.

Clean air won't matter when your kids approach the wrong person 🙄

I've just answered that point. It does not say that they are the only permitted exceptions, which it would if they were.

Car drivers are an entitled lot

*sentence not stance.

I hadn’t appreciated the issue and once had a resident knock in my car window when I was on the school run on a cold day and had left my engine running. I’m now aware of the issue and haven’t done it since.

I know I’m not in the U.K. (I’m in Canada). Here it can drop to -40C and below with the wind chill.

Iluvbunns, no, my kids don't approach strangers, cos they're kids. Perhaps one day when they are grown, I imagine they might challenge something they think is wrong, I hope they do.

No...absolutely no where is there any evidence to suggest idling is permissible if you have a disability. You have not provided any on this thread, there is no legisture to say that, nor is there any suggestion of such a claim anywhere on the internet.

You clearly don't care if your breaking the law, destroying the environment and causing life long suffering and disability to small children so carry on. I don't know who you are/where you live. Not like anyone here can report you. So I'm not wasting any more time on this.

I completely agree with you OP but there are always some stupid inconsiderate MNers who justify it to you and themselves. It is never ok. The sticker idea sounds very attractive in theory, but it's not a good idea in practice.

That said, the other day I saw a mum down my road waiting in her car with the engine running and on her mobile, so breaking the law on two counts. However, I thought she was crying, so I passed by quickly and didn't' say anything!

@Itstarts i have actually pointed out what the law says.

What's your legal qualification for your assertion?

YANBU. Sitting in a vehicle with engine running is illegal in England unless you’re in traffic jam, I wish the councils would fine people the way they do for parking infringements. I’d love to see traffic wardens handing out fines to all the parents happily pumping out toxic gases near primary schools so their toes can be a bit warmer.

Sticker away OP! And maybe ask your MP if the council would be interested in earning some ££££££ by fining idling vehicles.

You have my sympathies OP as you're on a hiding to nothing! People never change their habits and even with the law, silly fuel prices and the health of our children, drivers still don't give a toss.

Personally the switch to electrification can't come soon enough.

@Itstarts

You alread posted

"Rule 123

The Driver and the Environment. 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."

Yet you ignore the word "unnecessary"you have yet to clarify what the legal definition of this is in law. Without this definition you cannot claim what actions are unessasary and which are not.

Perhaps they're letting you know how the polluting emissions from your idling car is affecting them/their disabilities and potentially harming countless others lungs too.
Can't imagine your idling car does you much good either, come to think of it.

Feels like there are a few closet idlers on this thread.
Maybe a slip of paper "you are poisoning your own kids"?

Whenever I have asked, politely, people always say yes. I'm assuming most car idlers, statistically don't have disabilities.

I've said I'd explain to the police.

No one else other than someone lawfully authorised is entitled to any information about my disabilities.

I am entitled to idle my car when it is necessary. I have taken mitigating measures so that it's as little as possible.

At this point, I hope the police lift me for it and take it to court and I can argue my case.