Fight against exhaust fumes steps up a gear

ANDREA LAMBROU

Environmental Health Officers are launching a fresh drive against unnecessary exhaust fumes across South Lanarkshire.

An engine left running when a vehicle is parked or stationary can emit up to twice the exhaust fumes of an engine in motion.

Clean air is important for good health and wellbeing. For that reason it is important that we all play our part in protecting and improving the quality of the air that we breathe.

Over the coming weeks environmental health officers will be out and about to support a campaign focussed on making sure drivers know why they should not keep their engines running while their vehicle is idle.

They will be visiting a range of locations such as at sporting complexes, leisure centres and health facilities within South Lanarkshire.

Head of fleet and environmental services, Shirley Cleland, said: “We want to ensure that the air our adults and children are breathing whilst taking part in sports and exerting their lungs more is the cleanest it can be.

“Our officers will also be targeting drivers who leave their engines running at health care facilities as we want to minimise the risk of pollution for patients attending these facilities.”

Taxi ranks and shopping areas throughout the council area will also be visited during the campaign, primarily to raise awareness and provide some education on the effects of engine idling.

Chair of community and enterprise resources, councillor John Anderson, said: “It is tempting to leave the engine running in colder weather to keep our cars warm or in warmer weather for our air conditioning.

“Sometimes it is just habit that stops us from turning off our engines. In South Lanarkshire we want to encourage a new habit – switching off!

“An idling engine can produce up to twice as many exhaust emissions as an engine in motion, that is not good for the quality of the air that we breathe.”

Idling a vehicle unnecessarily can be an offence. The key goal of the campaign is to educate people and help them make the right choice but should a driver choose to ignore the advice and fail to turn their engine off they can be issued with a £20 fixed penalty notice.

Many people idle their vehicles because they think it is better for their cars or uses less fuel. This is not the case.

Further information on air quality is available from the council website.