NEA clamps down on vehicle idling

Channel NewsAsia 19 Nov 14;

SINGAPORE: As part of the National Environment Agency's (NEA) ongoing efforts to raise awareness and promote compliance with anti-idling engine regulations, the agency conducted a three-hour enforcement exercise at a car park at Ang Mo Kio Street 53 on Wednesday (Nov 19).

During the exercise, enforcement officers issued warning letters to 14 motorists for leaving their vehicle engines idling while stationary. They also distributed educational pamphlets and anti-idling car decals to 236 motorists.

NEA urges motorists to turn off their engines after parking their vehicles so as to achieve better air quality and safeguard public health. Members of the public who spot idling vehicles on the road are encouraged to report them to NEA, providing details such as vehicle registration number, location and time of incident. Errant motorists may be fined up to a maximum of S$5,000.

- CNA/ac

NEA advises motorists to switch off engines to minimise pollution
Today Online 20 Nov 14;

SINGAPORE — One of the top reasons for motorists leaving their engines idling while stationary, is that they are unaware of anti-idling engine regulations, according to a statement released by the National Environment Agency (NEA) today (Nov 20).

This was discovered during a three-hour long enforcement exercise conducted on 19 Nov by the NEA at Ang Mo Kio St 53. The exercise was held to raise awareness among motorists and promote compliance with the anti-idling engine regulations.

Engines were also left idling by taxis waiting to pick up customers, parents waiting to pick up their children from school, drivers loading and unloading goods at non-designated areas, as well as drivers resting in their vehicles during short coffee or lunch breaks.

Under the Environmental Protection and Management (Vehicular Emissions) Regulations, it is an offence to leave the engine of a motor vehicle running when it is stationary for reasons other than traffic conditions. Errant motorists can be fined up to a maximum of S$5,000.

During the exercise, 14 motorists were issued warning letters for leaving their vehicle engines idling while stationary. NEA enforcement officers also distributed educational pamphlets and anti-idling car decals to 236 motorists.

Such exercises will be conducted periodically to remind motorists to switch off their engines.

The NEA encourages motorists to turn off their engines after parking their vehicles, “achieve better air quality and safeguard public health”.

Members of the public who spot idling vehicles on the road, are encouraged to report them to NEA, providing details such as vehicle registration number, location, date and time of the incident via the NEA hotline (1800 2255 632), Contact_NEA@nea.gov.sg or its myENV iPhone and Android application.

NEA clamps down on drivers who leave engines idling
YVONNE LIM Today Online 21 Nov 14;

SINGAPORE – Over the past three years, the National Environment Agency (NEA) has taken action on more than 8,000 cases of errant drivers who leave the engines idling while their vehicles are stationary. Fines have been meted out and warning letters and advisories issued, the NEA said.

In its latest three-hour enforcement blitz on Wednesday in Ang Mo Kio Street 53, warning letters were issued to another 14 drivers who had left the engines of stationary vehicles running. Pamphlets and anti-idling car decals were also distributed to 236 motorists.

The exercise will be conducted periodically to serve as a timely reminder to motorists, the NEA said.

Wednesday’s exercise found that motorists who had left their engines idling were often those who were unaware of the regulations, taxi drivers waiting to pick up customers, parents waiting for their children at school, workers loading and unloading goods at non-designated spots and drivers resting in their vehicles during a break.

Under the Environmental Protection and Management (Vehicular Emissions) Regulations, it is an offence to leave the engine of a motor vehicle running when it is stationary for reasons other than traffic conditions.

Errant motorists can be fined up to S$5,000. “A stationary motor vehicle with its engine running wastes fuel and causes air pollution. In addition, it causes smell and (is a) noise nuisance to the public,” the NEA said.

To raise public awareness of the regulations and environmental hazards posed by such vehicles, the NEA said it regularly engages vehicle fleet operators such as public transport operators, the Singapore School and Private Hire Bus Owners’ Association and the Singapore School Transport Association.

It also distributes through schools publicity posters, decals and pamphlets to educate parents and private school transport operators on switching off the engine while waiting to pick up schoolchildren.

However, a random check by TODAY with motorists found that many were unaware of the regulations, which date back to 1999.

Video producer Jeremy Oh, 27, said he often waits for his friends in his car with the engine running. “Sometimes they take a long time to leave (their houses) — up to 15 minutes — so I wait for them in my car with the air-conditioning on because it is comfortable,” he told TODAY.

He pledged to turn off the engine while his car is stationary after being informed of the regulations.

Taxi driver David Goh said that, while he was aware of the regulations and had tried to adhere to them, he felt they were an inconvenience — especially when he had to wait for passengers on warm days.

“Sometimes, passengers enter my taxi and complain that it is too warm inside. But I have no choice, because I have to turn off my engine while waiting for them.”

The NEA said members of the public who spot idling vehicles are encouraged to report them to the agency, with details such as the vehicle’s registration number, location as well as the date and time of the incident.

They may do so via the NEA’s hotline at 1800-CALL NEA (1800 2255 632),smartphone app myENV or email at Contact_NEA@nea.gov.sg.

14 motorists issued warnings after caught leaving vehicle engines on
AsiaOne 20 Nov 14;

SINGAPORE - The National Environment Agency (NEA) on Wednesday issued warning letters to 14 motorists who had left the engines of their stationary vehicles on, during a three-hour exercise in Ang Mo Kio.

As part of the exercise, NEA gave out pamphlets and anti-idling car decals to 236 motorists to promote compliance with anti-idling regulations, according to The Straits Times.

The NEA found that the people who left their engines on were delivery workers, taxi drivers waiting for customers or drivers resting in their vehicles.

It is an offence to leave the engine of a stationary vehicle on, except for reasons to do with traffic conditions under Environmental Protection and Management (Vehicular Emissions) regulations, according to The Straits Times.

In a statement, the NEA urged the public to turn off their vehicle engines after parking, in order to prevent air pollution.

"In the last three years, NEA had taken action on over 8,000 cases of idling engines and these comprise issuance of advisories, warning letters and fines to errant drivers," it said.

According to Channel NewsAsia, members of the public who spot idling vehicles on the road should report them to NEA. They should also take note of details like the vehicle registration number, location and time of incident.

They can call the NEA hotline at 1800-CALL NEA (1800-2255 632), or choose to send in videos to contact_nea@nea.gov.sg.

Errant motorists may be fined up to a maximum of S$5,000.

Warnings issued to 14 motorists caught leaving vehicle engines idling
LINETTE LAI Straits Times 21 Nov 14;

SINGAPORE - Warning letters were issued on Wednesday to 14 motorists who had left their vehicle engines idling while stationary in a three-hour enforcement exercise by the National Environment Agency (NEA) in Ang Mo Kio.

NEA also distributed pamphlets and anti-idling car decals to 236 motorists, as part of the exercise to promote compliance with anti-idling regulations, which NEA officers had found many motorists to be unaware of. Those who left their engines on were workers loading or unloading goods, taxi drivers waiting for customers, parents waiting for school-going children, or simply drivers taking a break in their vehicles.

Under Environmental Protection and Management (Vehicular Emissions) regulations, it is an offence to leave the engine of a motor vehicle running when it is stationary for reasons other than traffic conditions. Those breaching the law can be fined up to $5,000.

In a statement, the NEA urged the public to turn off their engines after parking for better air quality and public health.

"In the last three years, NEA had taken action on over 8,000 cases of idling engines and these comprise issuance of advisories, warning letters and fines to errant drivers," it said.

Those who spot idling vehicles are encouraged to report them, providing the vehicle registration number, as well as location, date, and time of the incident.

They can call the NEA hotline on 1800-CALL NEA (1800-2255 632), or use the smartphone app called myENV. They can also choose to send in videos to contact_nea@nea.gov.sg