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Our neighbour leaves their engine running, unattended for 10 minutes every morning - is this illegal?

Every morning someone in our street leaves their car engine running for about 10 minutes. I think they do it to warm up the car, but it is very annoying. Are there any laws about this?

Asked on 4 February 2018 by geek84

Answered by Honest John
Yes. It's illegal to leave a car on a street unattended with the engine running. It is an offence under section 42 of the Road Traffic Act 1988. If you report it to the police, that may then force them to pay the owner a visit. Obviously you have to identify yourself as the complainant and get a crime number.
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