Huntly drivers are asked to switch off their engines to help environment and kids health
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A CAMPAIGN to get drivers to switch off their engines has moved up a gear.
A banner has gone up on an access to The Gordon Schools campus urging drivers not to 'be an idler'.
Mum of two, Caroline Gatt has rallied the support of schools and other organisations to improve air quality around the town,urging them to spread the message to people not to sit with their car engines running at any drop off.
Ms Gatt who was astounded to see some parents sit with their car engines running for the entire duration of an after school group said: "There are so many things we need to change in our lifestyles to have a chance of a liveable planet - the climate emergency is not about some distant future. Climate change is affecting our world now.
"Many lifestyle changes might be hard to figure out - how to have safe warm homes in winter without using fossil fuels.
"But this one is easy - turn off my engine when I don’t need it and save money on fuel instead of wasting it. It affects children’s health - they are closer to the fumes and inhale double what adults do.
"If people want to improve their children’s chances of a healthy life they need to turn their engine off."
An idling engine can produce up to twice as many exhaust emissions as an engine in motion. If a car is to be parked for more than 30 seconds it is better to turn the engine off - idling uses more fuel than it takes to re-start.
Exhaust emissions contain a range of pollutants which can make asthma worse
Vehicle idling is an offence and drivers could be fined £20.
Gordon Primary School is backing the campaign and head teacher Debbie Ewen said: "We are fully in favour of ensuring our children can come to school having confidence in the clean air around them.
"Engine idling can cause children to inhale fumes which can lead to health damage.
"This campaign will give awareness to everyone of the dangers of thoughtless engine idling and we are sure our parents will respond positively."
Rector Phil Gaiter said: “Health and wellbeing are crucial to young people’s development, our community as well as our sustainable global future.
"Every contribution we can make to improve our environment is a positive, people must take into account the impact of their actions when it comes to car idling."
Parents dropping off youngsters at the Summer of Fun camps were asked not to keep their engines idling and the Kindergarten on Steven Road has asked its parents to not idle.
Local mum, Emma Selway-Grant is supporting the campaign because of the effect idling can have on children's health.
She said: "We walk down the avenue and my youngest child is exposed to the fumes three or four times a day.Many people are probably unaware of the harm idling can cause to the environment and children's health so hopefully this campaign can educate people."
