They were created using artworks made by children at anti-idling workshops which have taken place through East Herts Council’s Breathe Clean initiative. The aim of the banners is to create greater awareness of why it’s best to turn off the engine when at a stop.
Idling is when drivers keep their engine running after stopping for more than 30 seconds. It often occurs at school pick up times, contributing to unnecessary pollution, with fuel and money being wasted.
Air pollution is linked to over 40,000 premature and avoidable deaths a year in the UK, and engine idling contributes to this. Children, older people and those with health conditions are all susceptible to poor air quality. Younger children are particularly affected due to their height and closer proximity to vehicles’ exhausts, reduced lung capacity and on-going lung growth.
Keeping your engine running isn’t just bad for the people standing nearby. According to King’s College, London, air pollution can be up to 15 times higher inside the car than outside. It can be even worse in winter as the heater can pull fumes into the vehicle.
Councillor Tim Hoskin, Executive Member for Environmental Sustainability at East Herts Council, said: “Air pollution causes avoidable deaths across the UK every year so improving air quality across East Herts continues to be a key priority for the council. Walking to school is unfortunately not an option for all children so we hope this campaign will encourage parents and carers who must drive to school to avoid contributing to air pollution.”
Spreading the anti-idling message outside schools is just one part of the council’s broader air quality campaign which includes air quality monitors in air pollution hot spots and working with local businesses to develop sustainable travel plans.
Launched in June 2023, the Breathe Clean scheme has worked with schools, workplaces and community groups to highlight things we can all do to protect ourselves from air pollution while reducing our personal contribution to the issue.
