Improve air quality by reducing engine idling – Turn off your car
You may have seen people who sit in parking lots with their engines idling. Or people who let their engines idle while they are in the drive-up line or waiting for the school bus. Maybe you are one of those people. Connecticut actually has a law against idling, Regulations of Connecticut State Agencies (RCSA) section 22a-174-18(b)(3). The law states that a vehicle cannot idle for more than three consecutive minutes while stationary except under the following conditions:
- while stuck in traffic
- defrosting, heating and cooling equipment to ensure the safety and/or health of the driver and passengers (note that it says safety, not comfort)
- auxiliary equipment such as refrigeration units, pumps or lifts
- while undergoing maintenance
- to reach the manufacturer’s recommended operating temperature
- while the ambient temperature is less than 20 Degrees Fahrenheit
You can make a small change that will make a big difference to improve air quality
The reality is that there is no enforcement of this law for private vehicles by Connecticut’s Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP). Local law enforcement could penalize you if they have the time and the inclination, but DEEP is hoping for voluntary compliance. There is good reason to comply.
According to DEEP, every gallon of gas burned produces more than twenty pounds of greenhouse gases in the exhaust, whether the vehicle is moving or not. And exhaust is produced by vehicles whether you can see it or not. While you may not idle for an hour at any one time, five minutes at various points in the day add up quickly. The Union of Concerned Scientists notes that exhaust gases are made up of particulate matter, which is often seen as soot; volatile organic compounds (VOCs), which when reacting to sunlight causes ground-level ozone; carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide, and nitrogen oxides, which also produce ground-level ozone; and carbon dioxide. Nitrogen oxides, sulfur dioxide, and carbon dioxide are known heat trapping gases, which contribute to climate change. Warm temperatures and still air, as seen in the summer and in urban environments magnify the damage.
Vehicle exhaust also impacts health negatively. Particulate matter deeply penetrates lung tissue, resulting in respiratory problems. Ground-level ozone irritates the respiratory system, resulting in coughing, choking, and even reduced lung capacity. Some types of exhaust VOCs are tied to cancer. Sulfur dioxide reacts with the atmosphere to create fine particles, again impacting the respiratory system. Carbon monoxide deprives the body’s organs from getting needed oxygen. Nitrogen oxides irritate the respiratory system. All these pollutants lead to increases in allergies, asthma, and cardiovascular disease, which subsequently leads to increased ER visits, increased school absences, and increased rates of premature death.
Save money on gas by reducing the time your warm up your car
According to the U.S. Department of Energy, cars built after 1980 only need about 30 seconds to warm the engines sufficiently. Also, the heating or cooling of the vehicle’s cabin will occur more quickly if the vehicle is moving rather than sitting idling. According to AAA, idling burns a gallon of gas per hour without having gone anywhere. And DEEP reports that 10 seconds of idling uses more gas than turning a car off and then on.
If you have a business and can post a Connecticut anti-idling sign, they can be ordered at Idling sign and picked up in Hartford, or you can make your own. And of course, electric vehicles do not produce exhaust, so if you are considering an electric vehicle, there are federal and state tax incentives available, as seen here: Federal tax incentives and Connecticut tax incentives.
