French town sets €135 fine for idling vehicle engines

Mayor of Sceaux (Hauts-de-Seine, Île-de-France), Philippe Laurent, has banned drivers from leaving their motors idling when the vehicle is “parked or stopped outside of [normal] traffic flow”.

Those that do risk a verbal warning and a fine of €135.

Leaving your vehicle engine running when idle is damaging to the environment and contributes significantly to air pollution.

Mr Laurent said: “The idea is to stop drivers from leaving their motor running to heat themselves up in winter or when waiting for children in front of school.”

The ban also applies to bus drivers who wait at stops for longer than is strictly necessary.

But the rule is not new: it has been law in France for more than 50 years. A decree from November 12, 1963 mentions “fumes produced by automobile cars” and states that idling vehicles must turn off their engines.

Mr Laurent said: “[The law] was not enforced; we are enforcing it.”