School run fine of £20 - a stark warning for waiting parents

Experts warn that a school run fine of £20 could hit parents who leave their engine 'idling' during the school run.

In addition to navigating the cost of living crisis, and weighing up fines for taking kids out of school to save money on holidays, parents and carers now receive a stark warning that the school run could cost too. They are being advised to wrap up with extra coats, hats and gloves so they don’t need to keep the engine running to fuel the heater or face a twenty quid fine, doubling to forty if not paid promptly. And, if you live in London the penalty is even higher, with motorists issued a £40 fine that can increase to £80 if not settled within a two-week period.

Mum-of-two, Louise tells us; "I always arrive to school a bit earlier and sit in the car to read with my son before gates open. We have to have to keep the engine on so the car is warm, it's Baltic in the winter otherwise."

Louise is not alone, many parents and carers on the school run do this, especially this time of year but there's a reason why it's no longer allowed. 

School run fine 

Idling, leaving your vehicle engine running while stationary, creates air pollution and is usually unnecessary. It is also an offence in law under the Section 42 of the Road Traffic Act 1988., according to the RAC. The warning comes as new research by Qutezone.co.uk states that 11% of drivers on the school run don't turn their engines off while waiting outside schools.

Greg Wilson, Founder of Quotezone.co.uk said: “It can be tempting to leave the engine running during the colder, darker months but drivers need to be aware that by running their engines, they are wasting fuel and potentially damaging the health of the school children who may be breathing in harmful fumes."

He goes on to add; “... Drivers need to be aware that by running their engines, they are wasting fuel and potentially damaging the health of the school children who may be breathing in harmful fumes. Vehicle emissions are especially harmful for kids as they breathe more rapidly than adults and therefore take in more pollution."

Be warned parents wrap up warm and switch off or face paying out even more.

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