Posted on 06/08/2008 9:43:30 AM PDT by badpacifist
The Minneapolis City Council and Mayor R.T. Rybak approved changes Friday, to the city’s vehicle idling ordinance that aims to reduce air pollution. The ordinance limits most vehicle idling to three minutes, except in traffic.
"Most of the air pollution in Minneapolis comes from vehicles and cutting down in idling is one easy thing we can all do for our environment, our health, and the health of our neighbors," said Mayor R.T. Rybak.
Vehicle motors release particulate matter, dirt, nitrous oxides, hydrocarbons, carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide into the air. These chemicals are linked to increased rates of cancer, heart and lung disease and asthma and are the major source of human-caused climate change. Children are especially vulnerable to vehicle air pollution because their lungs are still developing, and they inhale more pounds of pollution per pound of body weight than adults do.
For the driver, reducing idling saves money in fuel. On average, a car will burn more than half a gallon of fuel for every hour spent idling. In general, 10 seconds of idling uses more fuel then restarting the car, according to the U.S. Department of Energy.
"In these times of high gas prices, it’s a way for people to save fuel. If you’re sitting in an idling car, you’re getting zero miles a gallon. That’s not good for your pocketbook or the environment," Rybak added.
(Excerpt) Read more at kstp.com ...
That apply to 18 wheelers too? Hilarious.
They’re not the first city with such a law.
How about the “3rd rail” of the green movement - the clothesline! A super efficient, non-polluting, simple way to avoid burning precious fuels.
In the only-a-little-bit-farfetched department:
Coming soon to a Demo/Commie-infested Nanny State near you - watch for legislation mandating that drivers turn off the ignition when stopped at traffic lights...
I HOPE this applies to the poloce, too - they get too many special exemptions from laws enslaving everyone else.
Oh, this is going to go over great with the truckers come Winter in MN.
And how long will the Police vehicle be allowed to idle while the stop takes place, the computer checks are run, and the ticket is written?
-Traveler
The last time I was in Minneapolis it was 27 below. It took longer than 3 minutes to warm the engine...and a cold engine is much less efficient than a warm one. But, hey, what does reality really matter?
"What are you here in jail for?"
"Serial Idling."
Sheesh. You'd think politicians in Minneapolis would know a bit about driving cold cars in sub zero weather.
But, I suppose their chauffeurs take care of all those little annoying details.
Yet another feel-good but utterly unenforceable law. The only way to charge would be for an officer to observe a driver with an idling engine for 3 or more minutes. Who’s going to write that up? Are there exemptions for the disabled that might need constant AC? Any exemptions, like for cars that can’t restart easily? This would be tossed if ever charged. How much energy was wasted debating this nonsense, printing it, etc.
So drivers that pay for gas can’t let their cars idle, but we taxpayers pay for people to remain idle on welfare. Go figure
Will this apply to Somali-Muzzy taxi drivers? Probably not.
Okay. So as long as I am on one of the Governments over crowded, ill-concieved poorly planned and designed highways, its okay for me to pollute the air while idling for and hour or so in traffice. But if I let me car idle in my drive way for over 3 mniutes I am a criminal?
Notice how they include the “Do it for the chillun angle”?
It's For The Children!
LOL, same thought.
I wonder how they’re going to time all those cars?
While it might be better for the environment, my pocketbook is none of your damned business. I don't need your rules and regulations intended to force me to save money.
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