Bookings Made for Stationary Vehicles with Engines Running
Ministry of Sustainability and the EnvironmentSpeakers
Summary
This question concerns the enforcement and awareness measures regarding stationary vehicles with idling engines, as raised by Dr Lim Wee Kiak. Minister for the Environment and Water Resources Masagos Zulkifli B M M reported that over 12,000 motorists were booked in the last three years, attributing this increase to stricter enforcement and more public complaints. He clarified that while regulations allow no grace period, officers exercise judgment on the ground, and the National Environment Agency conducts extensive outreach through signage and stakeholder partnerships. The Minister noted that composition fines are $70, with court penalties reaching up to $5,000, and emphasized that modern engine technology makes warming up vehicles while stationary unnecessary. To safeguard public health, the Minister encouraged citizens to report idling vehicles to the authorities via the myENV app or a dedicated hotline.
Transcript
12 Dr Lim Wee Kiak asked the Minister for the Environment and Water Resources (a) how many vehicles have been booked during the past three years for leaving the engine of their stationary vehicles running; (b) what is the duration allowed before the vehicle owner can be penalised; and (c) what is the Ministry doing to raise awareness of this rule to vehicle owners.
The Minister for the Environment and Water Resources (Mr Masagos Zulkifli B M M): 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. Leaving the engine running when the vehicle is stationary, results in fuel wastage and unnecessary environmental pollution.
While there is no grace period allowed for the idling of vehicle engine in the Regulations, NEA officers will exercise judgement on the ground before errant motorists are booked. Over the past three years, NEA has booked more than 12,000 motorists for idling their vehicles.
As part of its outreach programmes, NEA works closely with stakeholders such as the authorised vehicle inspection centres, private and public transport operators and schools to disseminate educational pamphlets and decals so as to raise awareness of the regulation and forewarn motorists not to leave their vehicle engines idling. To promote greater awareness, NEA has also installed anti-vehicle idling signage at places where vehicles frequently congregate, such as carparks, loading/unloading bays and along the roadside near schools.
Everyone has a part to play in safeguarding our environment and public health. Members of the public who spot idling vehicles are encouraged to report them to NEA via their hotline or the myENV app.
Dr Lim Wee Kiak (Sembawang): Mdm Speaker, I would like to thank the Minister for his answer. I am a little surprised to hear that 12,000 had been booked in the last three years. I would like the Minister to confirm that again. In a similar Parliamentary Question (PQ) three years ago, the average number of advisory notes issued was 320 per year. That figure was given in 2012. Twelve drivers were booked for offences. But now, the Minister has just replied that 12,000 had been booked. Why the big jump from 12 to 12,000? If the numbers are correct, is there a concern that there are more and more offenders now?
Mr Masagos Zulkifli B M M: Indeed, it is an area of concern. The numbers have increased largely because we have enforced more and there have been more complaints from the public. It is useful also for people who drive to know that, today, modern technology does not require you to warm up your engine before you drive. Sometimes, there is this misperception that you have to continue keeping your engine warm so that you can get better fuel efficiency or make the engine last longer.
In reality today, vehicle manufacturers we have consulted say that engines warm up faster to reach the optimal temperature when the vehicle is driven at moderate speeds upon starting. So, that is the new technology. It is what we have today.
So, I hope people will move away from the old habits. With old engines, yes, they need to be warmed up before the vehicles move. But we need new habits, because engines today do not have to warm up.
Dr Lim Wee Kiak: Can I ask the Minister what was the quantum of the fine given to these 12,000 offenders? Should we revise the fines, if the deterrence measures still do not work?
Mr Masagos Zulkifli B M M: Under Regulation 21 of the Environmental Protection and Management Regulations, it is an offence for any driver to leave the engine of a motor vehicle idling when the vehicle is stationary for reasons other than traffic conditions, or the working of on-board machinery for some ancillary purposes. The offence carries the following Court penalty: a maximum fine of $2,000 for the first offence, a maximum fine of $5,000 for the second and subsequent offence. There are provisions under the regulations to compound the offence and the quantum of the compound fine is currently fixed at $70. We will look at whether we need to review this for the future.