Waking up to see your car iced over before you head to work can be a pain. Rather than using de-icer, some drivers choose to leave their engine running while their vehicle defrosts.
It was reported yesterday (January 16) that four vehicles were stolen from driveways in Devon after they were left unattended to be de-iced. As well as the risk of this happening, leaving your engine running to warm up your vehicle while you're not around can land you with a fine.
Under regulations 98 and 107 of the Road Vehicles (Construction and Use) Regulations 1986, which reinforces rule 123 of the Highway Code, leaving the engine running on a vehicle parked on the public road unnecessarily is an offence. If you fail to turn your engine off when instructed, you could be fined £20 - which will increase to £40 if unpaid within a specific timeframe.
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Rule 123 of the Highway Code states: "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.
"Generally, if the vehicle is stationary and is likely to remain so for more than a couple of minutes, you should apply the parking brake and switch off the engine to reduce emissions and noise pollution. However it is permissible to leave the engine running if the vehicle is stationary in traffic or for diagnosing faults."
The RAC adds: "Do note, the crucial element of the wording is the reference to 'public road', which means it is not an offence to leave your engine running on private land, such as a driveway. However, that is not to say that allowing an engine to idle is a good idea."
Drivers are also warned against leaving their vehicles unattended while the engine is running due to the risk of it being stolen. As well as the thefts in Devon yesterday, the RAC said that over the years there have been many incidents of vehicles being stolen after they had been left running with the keys in the ignition.
A police spokesperson said: "It's an open invitation to opportunist thieves and they're gone in seconds. Exclusion clauses in many insurance policies may also mean that insurance is invalidated and it could turn out to be a very expensive demisting.
"That said, be patient and don't be tempted to drive without making sure that you have cleared windows and mirrors to ensure that your journey will be safe for you – and safe for other road users."
