To feel angry at people running their car/van engines when waiting in car parks?

MawtheMerrier

The thread title does say "Car parks" so no, not particularly bothered as most people in car parks are in cars and exit the area pretty quickly.
If you are talking about parking outside eg schools ,well those areas are generally "no parking" - and that should be more strictly enforced, arent they? Perhaps fuel prices will encourage drivers to be more economical with their fuel and not waste it while stationary. I think my engine switches off anyway when I stop - don't most modern cars?

I'm so glad to hear that modern cars are made to switch off when stationary; that sounds an excellent move! I wonder if the equivalent of a smart meter showing how the fuel is being used up might help too. I have an old car so didn't know about this. My main concern is that running the engine for so long (and the ones I'm talking about aren't just for a couple of minutes) is bad for the environment and for other people's health. I see it so often in supermarket car parks.

I absolutely hate this.Neighbours were having work done earlier in the year and every lunchtime the builders sat in their van to eat with the engine running for up to half an hour.With the window half open so if it was to warm up what a waste .After a few days I did say something very politely.To be fair they weren't rude but said they were doing it to charge the phone up.Fumes belching out !
The worst one recently was someone who jumped out of his huge 4x4.Left the engine running and door open on a steep hill and spent ages chatting on the doorstep where he was delivering something. Just outside a school.

I think I would politely go and ask them to turn their engines off... Bad for lungs and environment.

There are no parking restrictions here.
At my grandsons junior school there was, which usually resulted in my daughter, and a father who had his leg amputated because of cancer, having nowhere to park, and both having to limp into school from a good way away.

It elicits from me that teacher’s look which leaves no room for doubt.

The thread title does say "Car parks" so no, not particularly bothered as most people in car parks are in cars and exit the area pretty quickly.
If you are talking about parking outside eg schools ,well those areas are generally "no parking" - and that should be more strictly enforced, arent they? Perhaps fuel prices will encourage drivers to be more economical with their fuel and not waste it while stationary. I think my engine switches off anyway when I stop - don't most modern cars?

I think for me, it's a culminstion of disrespect that is shown for the area I live in.
Some people really do take liberties, and the council really don't maintain anything.

Or perhaps I've just got older and more miserable.

You are correct MissA

I suppose it depends how close someone parking "close" to your home happens, how often.
I haven't got a garden, so people outside are just a few feet from my window.
It is absolutely jammed up with cars, three times a day.
For the last 33 years.

At my GD's school, they are mostly Diesel Chelsea Tractors!

Fleurpepper I live next door but one to our local primary school, I can understand folks running their engines to keep cool or warm depending on the season.

Modern eco engines are far less polluting than the old diesel gas guzzlers.

Urmstongran

I think I very rarely feel ‘angry’ about anything really. It’s just not in my nature.

Good for you. Although I do wonder if you lived near a school with lots of parents in cars waiting just in front of your drive, or near a popular tourist spot with lots of coaches waiting, day in day out, and often late into the evening- you might not get a tiny bit ariated, somehow.

Thirty years ago, I remember a friend would not push her baby in the buggy along busy roads because of car fumes. I suspect respiratory problems are worse now than then, and there are more cars.

We are encouraged to switch off our engines at level crossings round here. Surely that is a reminder that it's bad for the environment, it's bad for children and it's bad for your car. No brainer really.

By the way some people sit in their car with the engine running on double yellows so they are not accused of parking by the traffic wardens.

Irritated, probably. Angry? Rarely and not enough to bother posting about it on Gransnet. Anger is a waste of energy!

I'm glad you said that, Urmstongran. I rarely get really annoyed about anyone or anything. Sometimes I wish I did.
There are a few things that get my goat, but never massively.
But I do think people should not leave their engines running.
It is stupid.

It does annoy me, mostly because it's already a run down area, and it looks as if it done by the people who live here, as if we know no better.

MissAdventure

We have the full treatment here.
Parking on pavements, emptying ashtrays, engines running.
Then out comes someone with a beard and moustache to mummy's car, eats lots of food, and throws the wrappers out the windows, before they're taken home.

That gave me a laugh, thanks. I am sure it is not funny if you have to live with it but it contours up something you would see in a comedy! I have to say you wouldn’t get away with it in stalag Australia !

We have the full treatment here.
Parking on pavements, emptying ashtrays, engines running.
Then out comes someone with a beard and moustache to mummy's car, eats lots of food, and throws the wrappers out the windows, before they're taken home.

If you're going to be selfish and leave your engine running at least have the decency ro park well away from other cars.
It's when they park right next to me that gets me and all their stinking fumes come in my car window.
Some people only think of themselves.

That's the best way to be, I think.

I think I very rarely feel ‘angry’ about anything really. It’s just not in my nature.

It's really bad for air quality (and you car)

Urmstongran

I couldn’t care less. A running car engine wouldn’t even register on my radar to be honest. We don’t do it but if someone else did I wouldn’t get up a head of steam over it.

Can't say I have ever notice either usually in too much of a hurry. Blooming electric cars you can't even hear them when they are moving let alone stationery.
Outside the school which is close to us more likely to be fuming at the inconsiderate parking as I squeeze through.

Our LA takes it very seriously, I know of people being fined here.

However, despite agreeing that engines shouldn't be left running unnecessarily and damaging the environment, I cannot understand how we are meant to defrost our cars on frosty mornings, without running the engine.

I couldn’t care less. A running car engine wouldn’t even register on my radar to be honest. We don’t do it but if someone else did I wouldn’t get up a head of steam over it.