Vehicle idling - why do drivers do it?

[Winot]

It's well known that vehicle idling causes pollution and that there is no need to keep modern engines running while the vehicle is stationary (short article from the RAC here).

Despite this it still seems common. We live on a quiet residential street and WFH in the pandemic I have noticed lots of drivers - mostly of commercial vehicles - leaving their engines running while parked (I'm talking about more than 5 mins here not just briefly).

Why do they do this? AFAIK car stereos still work with the ignition on. There have been plenty of cases when it's neither really hot nor cold so it's not heating or a/c. Perhaps it's charging phones? Or maybe they are just dicks.

Why do people idle and what can be done to persuade them not to?

 

[weltweit]

I think quite a lot of the perpetrators aren't paying for their own petrol / diesel.

 

[Elpenor]

Agree with the above, commercial drivers probably don’t incur the direct cost

 

[SpookyFrank]

See this all the time with school run parents who probably aren't getting their fuel on the company account. I think it's just people being too fucking lazy to reach over and turn the key.

 

[maomao]

Just laziness, selfishness and stupidity. In varying proportions per case but that's what it is.

 

[weltweit]

A lot of newer cars ( BMW ) have automatic stop start tech which means even at traffic lights the engine cuts out.

 

[farmerbarleymow]

We live on a quiet residential street and WFH in the pandemic I have noticed lots of drivers - mostly of commercial vehicles - leaving their engines running while parked (I'm talking about more than 5 mins here not just briefly).

Every time they do it, steal the vehicle and drive it into the nearest canal.

 

[AverageJoe]

A lot of newer cars ( BMW ) have automatic stop start tech which means even at traffic lights the engine cuts out.

I turn mine off. I panic when the engine stops at the lights in case it won't start again!

 

[weltweit]

I turn mine off. I panic when the engine stops at the lights in case it won't start again!

And it does add a good second to the takeoff time when the lights turn green.

 

[SpookyFrank]

There seems to be an element of exploiting an imaginary loophole whereby you can stop on double yellow lines, across the entrance to a school, blocking the entire pavement or whatever stupid fucking place and it doesn't count as illegal parking because the engine is still running so you're technically still driving, just really really slowly.

 

[Elpenor]

I don’t know why kids would want to be picked up from school by their parents anyway, when I was a kid it meant you were a bit of a cissy

 

[Winot]

Every time they do it, steal the vehicle and drive it into the nearest canal.

I haven’t done this, but have on a few occasions asked them to turn it off. I’ve found that drivers really don’t like being asked but that if you have a friendly chat first then drop it in at the end they are more likely to do so.

Just did this prior to posting this thread. Driver did turn off engine but wasn’t happy. Wanted to argue about lack of pollution caused but I didn’t engage.

 

[Saul Goodman]

There seems to be an element of exploiting an imaginary loophole whereby you can stop on double yellow lines, across the entrance to a school, blocking the entire pavement or whatever stupid fucking place and it doesn't count as illegal parking because the engine is still running so you're technically still driving, just really really slowly.

You're not allowed to unload people on double yellows, not even your precious kids.

 

[weltweit]

This happened to me once. I can't remember why I was idling, perhaps it was winter but I was in a line of parked cars and after a while the driver behind asked me to turn off my engine because my exhaust was feeding straight into his air intake. I hadn't thought, but since then I am more thoughtful of others.

 

[Santino]

You're not allowed to unload people on double yellows, not even your precious kids.

It would actually be less objectionable if they didn't love their own children so much.

 

[kittyP]

I haven’t done this, but have on a few occasions asked them to turn it off. I’ve found that drivers really don’t like being asked but that if you have a friendly chat first then drop it in at the end they are more likely to do so.

Just did this prior to posting this thread. Driver did turn off engine but wasn’t happy. Wanted to argue about lack of pollution caused but I didn’t engage.

Last year there was a bloke sat outside my house, with his engine running, playing a first person shooter type game on his ipad (I am high up and could see the screen) for over 5 HOURS!!!
I did think about going and having a word but I didn't have the guts and also thought maybe this is better than losing his shit with his family during lockdown.

 

[Winot]

So do any drivers want to fess up to doing this with reasons?

 

[dessiato]

I went shopping earlier and parked close to BMW X5 which had the engine running, and the windows open. Given it was sitting in the sun I'd guess they also had the a/c running. Half an hour later we went back to our car. The X5 was still there, still running, still with the windows open.

I also noticed the bonnet looked like it had been polished with a scouring pad.

 

[keybored]

You're not allowed to unload people on double yellows, not even your precious kids.

You are though (as long as you're not on a "No Stopping" route). You're maybe thinking of zig-zags white lines, usually painted near crossings. That's 3 points and a fine for parking or even stopping to drop someone off.

 

[Saul Goodman]

So do any drivers want to fess up to doing this with reasons?

Yes, I never stop the engine unless I'm in a traffic jam, because its too much hassle and I can't be arsed. I'd have no issue if I had a car that did it for me but I don't.
Do you turn off the TV or PC when you go for a piss?

 

[maomao]

Yes, I never stop the engine unless I'm in a traffic jam, because its too much hassle and I can't be arsed. I'd have no issue if I had a car that did it for me but I don't.
Do you turn off the TV or PC when you go for a piss?

Do you leave it idling outside houses or shops if you're popping in for a couple of minutes? I don't think it's at traffic lights that's a problem, they're noisy and polluted anyway.

 

[moochedit]

I don’t know why kids would want to be picked up from school by their parents anyway, when I was a kid it meant you were a bit of a cissy

Same when i was a kid but they all seem to do it now. Cuts a good 15 mins off my journey to work during school holidays.

 

[WouldBe]

You're not allowed to unload people on double yellows, not even your precious kids.

Parents should take their sprogs to school in a side tipping dumper truck and just tip them out as you go past.

 

[Saul Goodman]

Do you leave it idling outside houses or shops if you're popping in for a couple of minutes? I don't think it's at traffic lights that's a problem, they're noisy and polluted anyway.

No, it's illegal to leave a car unattended with the engine running, plus it might get stolen.

 

[bimble]

I hate this and notice it all the time. It happens in long totally stationary queues of cars & also when people are doing what they want to think is a brief stop but which actually might not be brief at all just depends on stuff outside their control.
I reckon people do this because they psychologically can’t bear to admit the fact that right now they are not moving, nothing is happening at all, they are just waiting.

 

[planetgeli]

There seems to be an element of exploiting an imaginary loophole whereby you can stop on double yellow lines, across the entrance to a school, blocking the entire pavement or whatever stupid fucking place and it doesn't count as illegal parking because the engine is still running so you're technically still driving, just really really slowly.

Doesn't count unless you stick on your 'illegally parked lights' also known as hazards.

 

[Saul Goodman]

Doesn't count unless you stick on your 'illegally parked lights' also known as hazards.

My brother calls them 'Park anywhere lights' .

 

[Sweet FA]

I went shopping earlier and parked close to BMW X5

I also noticed the bonnet looked like it had been polished with a scouring pad.

Spanish plate, LHD?

 

[dessiato]

Spanish plate, LHD?

There's a 99.9% plus chance of this given where I live.

 

[Sweet FA]

There's a 99.9% plus chance of this given where I live.

My X5 got nicked last year; it's only distinctive feature being the scoured bonnet where my helpful nephew cleaned it with a scouring pad. Longshot I realise

Not that I want the bloody thing back.