Switch Off the Engine/Oprește Motorul

In Romania, systemic problems in education also generate environmental issues. Schools with strong academic results become highly sought after, leading families to obtain temporary residence permits in order to enroll their children. As a consequence, many parents drive across the city to bring their children to school. During drop-off and pick-up, cars are often left idling with the engine running, sometimes for up to 30 minutes. When children attend optional sports activities, engines may remain on for the entire duration of the activity, both in winter and in hot summer conditions. The “Stop the Engine” Campaign encourages parents to switch off their engines whenever stationary, regardless of location, for the health and well-being of their children. The campaign is implemented through the installation of informative panels at all educational institutions. In addition, we have put forward a legislative proposal to amend the national traffic code in order to sanction this behavior. Several municipalities have already adopted and supported this campaign, recognizing its importance for reducing both air and noise pollution in urban areas. Specifically, the City Hall of Sector 6 and the City Hall of Sector 1 have officially adopted this campaign.