Legalities of leaving an unattended car running?
Discussion
Neighbour got a stern word and threatened with prosecution from a police officer (PCSO) this morning.
He turned his car on to warm it/de-ice it - locked it with the engine running, on his drive, and left it to go back into the house.
When he returned the PCSO was taking down the car's details and threatened to charge him with the offence.
But he was on his own, private, driveway? PCSO said it made no difference just as with being 'drunk in charge...'
He turned his car on to warm it/de-ice it - locked it with the engine running, on his drive, and left it to go back into the house.
When he returned the PCSO was taking down the car's details and threatened to charge him with the offence.
But he was on his own, private, driveway? PCSO said it made no difference just as with being 'drunk in charge...'
LaurasOtherHalf said:
Why not just accept it a stupid thing to do and be thankful you still live in an area that still has a police presence.
Its locked and on a private drive the police have no right to issue a reprimand. They could offer friendly advice but getting the publics back up isn't great policing and some I can well do without thanks very much.
The PCSO should be advised to read the highway code. Do what you like with your car on your own driveway.
Act 123 of the Highway Code States:
"The Driver and the Environment. 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."
Act 123 of the Highway Code States:
"The Driver and the Environment. 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 'Stopping of engine when vehicle stationary' legislation is specifically on a road:
https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2002/1808/regu...
the 1986 version was not...
http://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/1986/1078/regul...
also in 1986:
http://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/1986/1078/regul...
which allows engine to be running for purposes where the engine is needed (arguably needed for defrosting)
so not sure what legislation would apply on your drive
https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2002/1808/regu...
the 1986 version was not...
http://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/1986/1078/regul...
also in 1986:
http://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/1986/1078/regul...
which allows engine to be running for purposes where the engine is needed (arguably needed for defrosting)
so not sure what legislation would apply on your drive
Mr2Mike said:
Reark said:
Wait I'm confused... 
This is illegal? I did the exact same thing this morning...
Dear god, how do people not know this? Leaving a vehicle with its engine running unattended has been an offence for a very long time. This is illegal? I did the exact same thing this morning... On private land though? HC states public road/highway?
Regards
Common Sense
Dr Interceptor said:
The PCSO should be advised to read the highway code. Do what you like with your car on your own driveway.
Act 123 of the Highway Code States:
"The Driver and the Environment. 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 wording is not clear.Act 123 of the Highway Code States:
"The Driver and the Environment. 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 bit about 'public road' may only refer to the part of the sentence after the word 'or', which is how I read it.
One for the legal bods to argue over.
Edited by GT119 on Tuesday 12th December 09:25
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