LOS ANGELES - A scientific study commissioned by the California Restaurant Association and nine fast-food chains has found that cars idling in restaurants' drive-thru lanes produce less air pollution than do cars that are parked and later restarted.
But contrary to published reports, the $125,000 study - which originally sought to undermine a plan to outlaw the construction of drive-thrus in Southern California - was released almost two years after state air quality regulators withdrew the threatened ban.
"The proposal was dropped back in '90" and never resurrected, said William Kelly, a spokesman for the South Coast Air Quality Management District, which had considered restrictions on drive-thrus because of now-contradicted findings that idling cars burn fuel inefficiently and generate excessive carbon monoxide.
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Why didn't they do a study on their freeways during rush hour?
BTW this is one of the most dictitorial, fascist out of control governmental agencies this side of the IRS. If you're not in Cal experiencing the rulings coming from this "need to be replaced" board, thank God.