Leaving your engine running in Wales could cost you £150
The Welsh government has increased fines for vehicle idling from £20 to up to £150 to reduce air pollution and protect public health. The measure is intended to act as a stronger deterrent against unnecessary engine running, particularly near schools and residential areas.
Why it matters
This policy shift reflects a broader trend of local governments using increased financial penalties to enforce environmental and public health standards.
Image source, Reuters Image caption, The previous punishment for idling was £20 and had not changed since its introduction in 2003
Drivers in Wales who leave their vehicle engine running while parked will face fines of up to £150 from Wednesday.
The change is part of a new measure by the Welsh government to try to reduce harmful pollution and to protect children's health.
The previous punishment for idling, as it is known, was £20, but that has now been raised to anywhere from £75 to £150, depending on circumstances.
The Welsh government said it hoped the increase would "change the habits of people who are polluting communities".
Llyr Gruffydd, cabinet minister for rural resilience and sustainability, said the £20 fixed fine for idling was "insufficient", and not being used "in the way everyone might envision it".
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