In move that is getting many motorists hot under the collar, authorities have booked some 12,000 drivers over the last three years for keeping their motors running while stationary—a staggering 1,000 times the normal number of citations, with fines running up to $5,000.
Speaking in Parliament last Tuesday, March 1, Environment and Water Resources Minister Masagos Zulkifli stated that the sudden spike was likely due to motorists wanting to warm up the engine for greater fuel efficiency, or to improve engine lifespan—an unnecessary practice given the efficiency of newer car models.
No mention was made about it having something to do with motorists keeping their aircon running under the hot Singapore weather. The problem becomes even more complex in cases where there are children or senior citizens involved.
Most offenders cited were parents waiting to pick up school children, taxi drivers waiting for clients, workers moving goods from transport vehicles, and drivers resting in their vehicles.
This has prompted motorists to ask: shouldn’t planes also turn off their engines while parked in the runway?
