Drivers could face a fine of £20 for leaving their engines idling while stuck in traffic the Daily Mail reports.
Traffic wardens may be given the clear to fine drivers who leave their engines running in a bid to reduce air pollution.
The scheme is to be trialled in Shoreham-by-Sea in January then may be extended elsewhere. Wardens are set to target congestion-ridden areas such as town centres and prevent drivers from leaving their engines running at rail crossings.
A spokesman for West Sussex council told the Daily Mail: ‘We want to get people out of the habit of leaving their cars ticking over out of convenience.
“We would stress that this is just an investigation at this stage. Air pollution is a particularly important issue for our residents, particularly those with asthma, lung and heart conditions.”
However concerns have been raised that if wardens are over-zealous, it could counter the environmental benefits of switching car engines off.
The AA told the national newspaper;
“For less than a minute it is not fuel efficient to switch off [your engine] because you will use more fuel starting up than you will save. It only becomes fuel efficient to switch off if you are going to be stopped for a minute or more.”
