Leaving your vehicle running unattended?

🚨 Winter Vehicle Safety Reminder 🚨

Cold and frosty morning?❄️

Please do not be tempted to leave your vehicle unattended, on the road, with the engine running in order to defrost the windscreen.

Doing so is against the law and makes your car an easy target for thieves.

A vehicle was recently stolen in Alfreton under these circumstances.

You must not leave a vehicle on a road unless:

Exceptions (you may leave the engine running if):

The vehicle is being used for emergency services (police, fire, ambulance)
It’s safely positioned and engaged in operating ancillary machinery (e.g., refrigeration units, power tools), with the engine needed to power that equipment.

Please note: Advanced features like remote start are not explicitly legislated, but they fall under the same rule: if the vehicle is on a road and unattended, the engine must be off unless an exception applies.

Even if legal exceptions exist, insurance may be invalidated if you're not physically present or have left your keys.

Stay safe this winter! ❄️

Message Sent By
Daniel Ashmore
(Derbyshire Police, Police Officer, Amber Valley)