Tackle idling
Encourage stationary traffic to stop the engine near schools, recreational areas, nurseries, etc.
You tackle the following challenges:
That's how you do it
You can change the behavior around idling with awareness campaigns, agreements with parents, suppliers and bus companies, information boards at the entrance of buildings and, if necessary, enforcement by the police.
Tip
It is better to switch off the engine after 30 seconds of standstill. In most cars, the engine stops automatically.
Knowing more
Idling and warming up have many adverse effects .
- It is dangerous: because the engine is already on, the car can suddenly drive away, which creates confusion for the bystanders.
- It is bad for your car: with petrol engines you get deposits on the engine valves and with diesels you get soot. Result: less power and shortened engine life.
- It is bad for your health: a car emits the most polluting and harmful substances when the engine is cold or at a standstill. Only when the car is running again or the engine is warmer do the emissions become 'cleaner'
More information
- English-language Video about idling near schools (Sustainable America)
- Stand still, turn off your engine campaign (ECO-U, Netherlands)
- Article on Autoblog with more technical explanation about idling and warming up (Netherlands)
- Warm up the car? Not a good idea! (Radio 2, Flanders)
- Ecodrive (Austrian Energy Agency, Austrian)
- Anti-idling toolkit Living Streets (British Lung Foundation,UK)
- 10 commandments of ecodriving (the Transformists, Flanders)
