Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps the Government is taking to (a) improve awareness among drivers of the harms of idling engines and (b) encourage drivers to turn their engines off where possible.

Unnecessary vehicle idling is already an offence under The Road Traffic (Vehicle Emissions) (Fixed Penalty) (England) Regulations 2002, with equivalent devolved powers. It is also the subject of rule 123 of the Highway Code, which drivers are required to learn and observe.

Local Authorities, which are responsible for enforcement, are free to take other measures to discourage engine idling, including additional signage at specific locations. The Department for Transport has authorised the use of such signs by some traffic authorities where required.