NO IDLE THREAT

Call to raise punishments for pollution rebels

- BY DAN VEVERS

DRIVERS who sit outside schools with their cars idling should face tougher fines, campaigners have demanded.

The call comes from parents, health experts and teachers who claim the Scottish Government's current rules are “toothless”.

Leaving an engine running while stationary is banned by law because the exhaust fumes released, particularly at hotspots like schools, hospitals and bus stops, damage people's health.

Experts say there has been a “systemic failure” to enforce the rules despite more than 1000 complaints since 2019.