Don't leave the engine on

Motorists get a message: Don't leave the engine on 
More complaints, but few fined for infringing this little-known law 
By Christopher Tan, Senior Correspondent 

THE number of complaints against motorists who leave the engines of stationary vehicles running has been rising. 

Last year, the National Environment Agency (NEA) received more than 2,700 complaints from the public, up from about 1,600 in 2008 and just over 1,000 in 2007. In the first seven months of this year, it received more than 1,300 complaints, most of which are from people in residential estates and passers-by, annoyed by the noise and fumes. 

But even as the number of complaints goes up, just a handful of motorists have been taken to task. Only four have been fined $70 each since last year, and about 600 issued warning letters. 

The NEA, which could not provide infringement figures for earlier years, has enforced the law with a light touch because it understands that motorists want to keep their engines - and air-conditioners - running in this hot and humid climate. 

As part of an 'education' process, however, it has issued 'advisories' to some 6,400 motorists who have been reported by the public in the last three years. Discussion threads in online motoring forums indicate that not many drivers know it is illegal to leave their vehicle engines running while stationary, say, when they are waiting for someone to turn up. 

Going by the Environmental Protection and Management (Vehicular Emissions) Regulations, which date back to 1999, the only time it is all right to do so is when a vehicle is in traffic. The law provides for offenders to be charged in court and dealt fines of up to $2,000 for first-time infringements and $5,000 for repeat cases. 

'Leaving an engine running while stationary is inconsiderate,' an NEA spokesman said, as it creates unnecessary noise and air pollution. 

Observers say more can be done. 

Singapore Environment Council executive director Howard Shaw described switching off the engine while waiting as 'a minor inconvenience', hot and humid as it is here.'We don't have 40-degree temperatures, and we have plenty of shade,' he said. 'It's a matter of winding down the windows or getting out of the car.' (getting out of car? also can fine for unattended vehicle) 

Idling engines are a problem when taxis wait in line for passengers, like at the airport, or when coaches wait by the roadside while tourists shop, he noted. 'They contribute significantly to CO2 emissions,' he said. 

Retiree Lee Chiu San, 64, said: 'If I'm alone in the car, I wind down the windows and kill the engine as a matter of principle. 'But with passengers, there can be serious disagreement.' 

'I think it is a great law that now needs to be enforced here, CO2 emissions being the biggest reason, of course.' 

Meanwhile, European car manufacturers from Fiat to BMW are incorporating stop-start mechanisms in their cars. These cut off the engine when the car comes to a stop at the lights, and restart it when the accelerator is depressed. 

The technology is beginning to appear in cars imported into Singapore. Volkswagen's Polo BlueMotion 1.2TDI is one such model. 

But the issue of leaving engines running even when the motorist is not in traffic remains. Some cabbies here have two sets of ignition keys - one to keep the engine and air-conditioning running and the other to lock the vehicle with while they have their breaks. 

Cabby Tony Pang, 60, said: 'This is so passengers don't complain of the heat. 

'It used to be a common practice, but not so now, since diesel is so expensive. But I know some older drivers still do it. It's a matter of choice.'

What's Happening To The Driving Test In October 2010?

The UK driving test is changing from 4th October 2010!

A new independent driving section will be introduced to test how you make your own decisions when driving. The examiner will ask you to drive independently for around 10 minutes by either following traffic signs, a series of directions, or a combination of both. If you're asked to follow a series of verbal directions, you'll be shown a diagram to help you.

The Driving Standards Agency say:
"The aim is to show that you can handle road and traffic conditions safely, while following a series of traffic signs or verbal directions. It doesn't matter if you don't remember every direction, or if you go the wrong way - this can happen to the most experienced drivers. If you ask for a reminder of the directions, the examiner will be happy to confirm them to you. If you go off the independent driving route, nothing will be marked unless you commit a driving fault."

The driving test will NOT get longer (driving tests last for approximately 40 minutes) so in order to allow time for the independant driving section, test candidates will only have to do one reversing manouevre instead of two as they do at present (the examiner will still choose from turn in the road, parallel park, bay park or reverse around a corner). As at present, one in three test candidates will also be asked to do an emergency stop.

The cost of taking a driving test will NOT increase from October 2010.

For more details on the new driving test and the latest news and updates from the Driving Standards Agency, please see:
Driving Test October 2010 Changes

Changes To The Driving Test In October 2010 - Independent Driving

There will be two important changes to the UK driving test commencing on 4th October 2010:

1) a new section on independent driving,

2) a reduction in the number of reversing manoeuvres candidates will need to do
 
For more information about the changes to the driving test and how this will affect test candidates please see:
 
Driving Test October 2010 Changes

UK Road Signs Quiz - Prepare For Your Theory Test!

How well do YOU know your road signs?

How good are you at identifying road signs?

Can you tell the difference between the "ahead only" sign and the sign for "one-way traffic"? Do you get the signs for "no stopping" and "no waiting" mixed up? Even drivers with many years experience get confused by unfamiliar road signs!

When you take your Theory Test you'll be expected to be able to identify several UK traffic signs during the test and when you're driving, a thorough knowledge of traffic signs and road markings will make you a much safer driver!

Test your knowledge of UK road signs with this free 20 question traffic signs quiz:
Know Your Traffic Signs Quiz

Parallel Parking

1. Position the car more to the left (the left side kerb should be inline with your own point on the wiper) and ahead of the parking lot. *Remember to straighten the car (left side of the car parallel with the left kerb) and steering wheel.

2. Change to reverse gear, check rearview mirror and signal left.

3. Check safety on the right, front and look through the rear windscreen.

4. Look over your left shoulder through the left rear door window and reverse the car slowly.

5. Reverse the car slowly till it reaches your turning point, then turn the steering wheel one round to the left and continue to reverse.

*Note: the picture above is just a general guide and it might not reflect your turning point because everyone has their own turning point. 

*You can adjust the left side mirror to view whether your rear left wheel will hit the kerb or not at this point as the picture above and once you confirm the left side won't hit the kerb you can now shift your attention to the right side.

6. While reversing, look at your right side mirror - when you see the right side of your car reaches the black color kerb, turn the steering wheel one round to the right.

7. Adjust your right side mirror till you can see your rear right wheel and continue to reverse.

8. When the rear right wheel sits on the yellow line, turn the steering wheel full-lock to the right and continue to reverse slowly.

*Note: Turning the steering wheel before the rear left wheel sits on the yellow line will cause the front left wheel to hit the front kerb and also resulting in the car being parked outside the lot. Turning the steering wheel after the rear left wheel crosses the line will result in your rear left wheel hitting the left kerb or resulting in your car being park too near to the left kerb.

9. Reverse and stop before the rear wheel hits the kerb behind then change to D gear and using the forward motion to straighten the car and steering wheel.

10. Position the car in the center of the parking lot, engage gear to P and apply handbrake,  then raise your hand to let the tester know that you are done with the parking.

Moving out of the parking lot


1.  Select R and release the handbrake.

2.  Turn the steering wheel one round to the left while reversing slowly.

3. Stop before hitting the rear kerb.

4. Adjust back the side mirrors.

5. Change to D , check mirrors, signal right, check your blindspot, if safe, turn the steering wheel full-lock to the right very quickly while moving forward. (remember the car needs to move very slowly at this point and the steering wheel needs to be turn fast.)

6. When the left corner of the front windscreen is inline with the left kerb as the picture above, check blindspot again then turn the steering wheel to the left as the car moves forward.


*Do NOT turn the steering wheel faster then the car this time or the rear wheel will hit the left kerb, just turn the steering wheel to match the speed of the car as you move out*

Recommended Books & DVD's For Learner Drivers

Pass Your Driving Test With The Help Of Recommended Books & DVD's For Learner Drivers!

There are so many study aids for learners on the market - so how do you know which are the best?

We've put together a selection of tried and tested learner driver books and DVDs which will reinforce what you learn during your driving lessons and help you to learn and maintain the safe driving skills which you'll need for your driving test - and beyond!

For more information, check out:
Best Books For Learner Drivers

Best DVDs For Learner Drivers

Test fees.

Length of tests and test prices won't change when independent #driving is introduced.