Almost 3 in 4 surveyed in Scotland support ban on vehicle idling near schools

This Clean Air Day, leading lung health charity Asthma + Lung UK Scotland is calling for better enforcement of vehicle idling to help protect public health after polling commissioned by the charity of 1,000 people in Scotland, showed that almost 3 in 4 (74%) respondents agree that an idling ban be enforced  at school gates.¹

Air pollution near schools is particularly harmful as it can stunt the growth of children’s lungs. They also breathe more rapidly than adults, meaning they take in more pollution through their lungs.²

Running a vehicle engine unnecessarily whilst stationary is against the Road Traffic (Vehicle Emissions) (Fixed Penalty) (Scotland) Regulation 2003 and carries with it a £20 fixed penalty notice but freedom of information request (FOI) requests has shown this is rarely enforced.³

This comes as Asthma + Lung UK Scotland is urging the Scottish Government to update air quality standards in line with the 2021 World Health Organisation (WHO) guidelines. Scotland, for example allows levels of nitrogen dioxide - a pollutant that causes the lungs to inflame – to be four times higher than the safe level recommended by WHO.⁴

The charity’s polling also says 67% of respondents agree that they would like to see air monitors outside schools with 65% saying they are concerned about air quality at schools.

High levels of air pollution can also cause asthma attacks that can lead to hospitalisation. It causes new lung conditions and worsen existing ones like asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

Joseph Carter, Head of Asthma + Lung UK Scotland said:

“Leaving your car engine running for no reason is already an offence and a public nuisance that harms the lung health of everyone especially children and other vulnerable groups, but current fines and enforcement aren’t working.

“No one should be forced to walk through a toxic soup of air pollution such as carbon monoxide, nitrogen dioxide and particulate matter which make up exhaust emissions from cars, just to get to school. It is vitally important that we protect the lungs and health of our children.

“Car idling produces up to 150 balloons of exhaust emissions per minute and turning your car engine off while sitting is an easy thing to do and we should all strive to reduce the harms of air pollution for ourselves and for our school communities.⁵

“Lung health in Scotland is one of the poorest in Europe. We need action to tackle air pollution, and lowering the levels of nitrogen dioxide allowed to align with WHO guidance is one way we can protect people’s lungs.”

Rosie Heptonstall, Air Pollution Programme Manager for Parents for Future Scotland and the mother of two girls, aged 10 and 12, said:

"Car idling is such a huge problem, but it's part of a wider systemic issue of car culture, where the car reigns supreme. To be able to combat idling we need a modal shift away from cars as the accepted way to travel. But we can only have this modal shift if people are supported and encouraged to choose active travel instead - not just because it improves air quality, but because it will feel like a better, easier option.

Dramatically enhanced and extended cycling infrastructure; joined-up, 24-hr public transport; easy access to low cost and/or free bikes - including adapted bikes - and cycling kit; better working hours and flexible working, these are just some of the things that we need. Combine this with a cohesive public information campaign about the problems of car idling, where it becomes regarded as being as anti-social as smoking, and we might start to get somewhere."'

The petition can be found: Update air quality standards in Scotland to align with 2021 World Health Organisation guidelines. - Petitions

References:

1. We surveyed 1,000 adults in Scotland and 3 in 4 (74%) want car idling at school gates to be prohibited. Combining those who said ‘strongly agree’ or ‘agree’ to the following statement: Vehicle idling at school gates should be banned.
2. World Health Organization (WHO). More than 90% of the world’s children breathe toxic air every day: https://www.who.int/news/item/29-10-2018-more-than-90-of-the-worlds-children-breathe-toxic-air-every-day
3. Freedom of Information analysis obtained by the charity in 2024, found that of the twenty councils which recorded information on vehicle idling complaints and have adopted the powers to enforce fixed penalty notices, only one local authority issued a fine between January 2021 and May 2024. This is despite over 1,100 complaints in the same period and almost 4,000 measures such as proactive checks and warnings.
4. Update air quality standards in Scotland to align with 2021 World Health Organisation guidelines. - Petitions
5. engine_idling_leaflet.pdf

Methodology: 

The research was conducted by Opinion Matters, among a sample of 1,000 Adults aged 16+ in Scotland. The data was collected between 05.02.25 - 28.02.25. Opinion Matters abides by and employs members of the Market Research Society and follows the MRS code of conduct and ESOMAR principles. Opinion Matters is also a member of the British Polling Council.