15 March 2000

NEW LEGISLATION TO CUT AIR POLLUTION

In the drive for cleaner air the Department of the Environment has introduced new legislation under the Motor Vehicles (Construction and Use) Regulations (NI) 1999 requiring vehicle engines to be switched off when the vehicle is stationary.

This regulation came into effect on the 1 January 2000.

The new legislation makes it an offence to leave a vehicle engine running unnecessarily while the vehicle is stationary. It also stipulates under what circumstances a vehicle's engine could be left running (eg to power a refrigeration unit) and exempts vehicles in certain circumstances from this new provision.

Any enforcement action for breach of this requirement will be a matter for the Royal Ulster Constabulary.

The principal benefit of this provision will be to help cut pollution. Poor quality air can affect the quality of life for everyone and therefore any measure to cut down harmful pollutants is beneficial to all.