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IDLING VEHICLES - WHAT'S THE PROBLEM?
Motor vehicles have a major impact on our health and environment. Every day, hundreds of thousands of Massachusetts residents are placed “at risk” due to their exposure to high levels of vehicle-generated air pollution. Children, the elderly and people with respiratory ailments such as asthma, emphysema and bronchitis are especially at risk of becoming ill or having their conditions get worse.
Air pollution has been found to:
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aggravate asthma, leading to more frequent and severe asthma attacks;
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increase the number of respiratory infections;
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aggravate and induce allergies;
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increase school day absences;
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increase emergency room visits, hospital admissions and premature deaths .
Each year, the average vehicle produces 261,250 grams of CO, 35,000 grams of hydrocarbons and 17,375 grams of NOx, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. That’s a significant amount of air pollution.
If a person reduces their daily idling by only a few minutes, the reduction in air pollution is substantial: 24,172 grams of CO, 1,253 grams of hydrocarbons and 367 grams of NOx. Multiplied by millions of vehicles, the reduction in air pollution is huge.
THE FACTS
Fact #1: Too many people leave their engines running.
Many drivers routinely leave their engines running for long periods of time when their vehicles are standing still. Unfortunately, drivers do not know the adverse consequences of engine idling or the Massachusetts law forbidding such behavior. Turning off your vehicle whenever possible is not only better for our health and environment; it’s better for your vehicle.
Fact #2: Emissions are toxic.
Vehicle emissions contain carbon monoxide, nitrogen dioxide, sulfur dioxide, acetaldehyde, benzene, 1,3-butadiene, formaldehyde, and particulate matter. These chemicals impair our lungs and hearts, irritate our eyes, and reduce our capacity to work and learn. Prolonged exposure can lead to death. Children, the elderly, and individuals with asthma are especially at high risk.
Fact #3 : Idling wastes fuel.
Millions of gallons of fuel are burned and tons of damaging pollution generated as vehicles idle needlessly. The fuel could be saved and pollution eliminated if drivers would simply turn off their engines when their vehicles will be stationary for more than a short period of time.
Fact #4: Excess idling is against the law.
Massachusetts General Laws, Chapter 90, Section 16A, states that “No person shall cause, suffer, allow or permit the unnecessary operation of the engine of a motor vehicle while said vehicle is stopped for a foreseeable time period in excess of five minutes.” This means that if you expect to be stopped for more than five minutes, you must turn off your engine or risk getting a ticket with fines up to $100 for the first offense and up to $500 for each subsequent offense.
READY TO DO YOUR PART?
Here are 5 easy ways to reduce vehicle idling:
#1: Reduce warm-up idling. Start driving after no more than 30 seconds of idling even in freezing temperatures, assuming your vehicle’s windows are clear.
#2: If you are going to be stopped for more than 10 seconds (except in traffic), turn off your engine. Idling your vehicle for longer than 10 seconds uses more fuel than it would take to restart the vehicle.
#3: Avoid using a remote vehicle starter. This device encourages you to start your vehicle before you are ready to leave, which means wasteful idling.
#4: In temperatures below 32°F, use a block heater to warm the engine before you start your vehicle. This will improve fuel efficiency and reduce exhaust emissions.
#5: Talk to your family, friends and neighbors about the benefits of reduced idling. Encourage them to join you in saving money, protecting the environment, and contributing to a healthier community.
Click here to download our "Idle-Free" Massachusetts brochure
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