In the UK, it is forbidden to run a car engine unnecessarily for a long time. Even if the glass with ice is removed, a fine of 80 pounds sterling (approximately 3,855 hryvnias) is imposed. Many Ukrainian drivers do not clean the frozen glass and just wait in the car until the ice melts and the engine warms up. In the UK, there is a fine for this.
Now forget tips and techniques for quickly and efficiently clearing snow and frost from the windows while the engine is warming up. This can do more harm than good. This is because section 123 of the UK Road Traffic Act clearly explains the concept of idling.
This is what everyone knows. The following statement is interesting: “Leaving a parked vehicle with the engine running or leaving the engine running unnecessarily is illegal.”
This means that while the driver is clearing the glass of snow and frost and the engine is warming up, he automatically violates the requirements of the traffic rules. First, the vehicle stops. The engine must be turned off. Exhaust gases contain carbon monoxide, nitrogen dioxide and hydrocarbons.
There have been no cases of fines levied by environmental groups, but fines are actively imposed for violations of traffic rules. British regulations stipulate that when parking a vehicle, “drivers should apply the parking brake and turn off the engine to reduce exhaust emissions and noise pollution.” As an exception, the engine can be left running if the vehicle is running or undergoing fault diagnostics.
There’s no need to leave the engine running to wash the windows or remove snow. Modern vehicles have far surpassed carburetor cars that required such warm-up. Such violations are subject to fines. If the driver refuses to turn off the engine at the request of the permit holder, a fine of 20 pounds sterling (approximately 960 hryvnias) is imposed. If the driver refuses to pay, the fine increases to £40 (approximately 1,926 Vladivostok). If this 40 pounds is not paid within 14 days, the fine increases to 80 pounds, 3855 hryvnias.
“If the fine is not paid within 14 days, a fine of £80 may be added to the £40 fine.” The total amount of the fine is £120, which is equivalent to 5792 hryvnias.
