Ajman urges drivers: Switch off your engines at red lights

Motorists in Ajman are now expected to voluntarily turn off their vehicle engines whenever they stop at a timed red light as part of a bid to reduce emissions and noise pollution in the city.

It’s part of an initiative dubbed ‘turn off the engine’ and, earlier this week, the Ajman Municipality’s planning and development department released a statement on its Facebook page about its thinking behind the move.

“The Department launched the ‘turn off the engine’ initiative, to encourage drivers of different types to stop their vehicles’ engines when parked at traffic signals, which operate with a timer system, at the stage of turning the signal from red to green, giving drivers enough time to restart their vehicles and restart, promoting overall sustainability and its application in various aspects of life,” said the Municipality.

The measure is only being implemented during cooler and moderate weather.

Meanwhile, Dr Mohammed Ahmed Al Muhairi, the executive director of infrastructure development, told The National newspaper that this “this initiative aligns with the UAE’s overarching vision and strategic direction towards achieving sustainability.

“It’s particularly feasible with modern, eco-friendly vehicles whose engines can be easily stopped and restarted within seconds,” Dr Al Muhairi told The National.

“By reducing exhaust gas emissions and noise pollution, it contributes significantly to maintaining air quality and reducing sound pollution. It also presents a practical approach to decreasing fuel consumption, offering both ecological and economic advantages.”

According to 2021 research published by a UK transport organisation TRL, idling for just a 30 second period produces nearly twice as much pollution as switching off and then restarting the engine.