According to a legal amendment approved last Friday, motorists who leave their engines idling for more than three minutes may face a fine of up to 60,000 NT dollars for air pollution. And the new regulation is expected to take effect by the end of this year at the earliest.

Drivers would face a fine ranging from 1,500 NTD to 60,000 NTD if they let the engine idle for over the allowed period of time.

To reduce the amount of waste air emission, the Legislature passed the third reading to the draft amendment of Air Pollution Control Act.

Driver will be fined if they leave their vehicles' engines running for more than three minutes when the vehicles are parked.

So far, Tainan, Hsinchu and Taichung city have implemented the regulation and the allowed time period is likely to be set at 3 minutes.

Cab drivers or those who are making quick errands, find the rule unacceptable especially on hot weather days.

Environmental Protection Administration says that some special vehicles are excluded from the rule, for example freezer truck, kindergarten shuttle, tour bus, as well as ambulance and police cars for which perform public duties.

The EPA stresses that it would convene meetings and public hearings with local governments to formulate details of the implementation, with a plan to complete the related management rules.

After 3 months of publicity campaign, the new rule will go into effect in the end of this year at the soonest.