Air pollution is preventable

The state of New Jersey is one of the most heavily populated states in the U.S. with more cars on the road than anywhere else in the country. Unfortunately, traffic lights create traffic where our automobiles are forced to idle before they can continue on. This idling challenges the air quality in our state as it seems uncontrollable while waiting for traffic to move or waiting for a traffic light.

What is hard to comprehend is why people insist on sitting in their cars while running it for many minutes unnecessarily. Are they not aware that they are breaking the law? Yes, breaking the law, since in New Jersey idling for more than three minutes is illegal with very limited exceptions. Idling fines begin at $250 for passenger vehicles and $250 for commercial vehicles. Unfortunately, often times, this law is not enforced.

The major offenders to this law are parents waiting in their cars with their children for a school bus, or after school for dismissal. Do they know their children breathe up to 50 percent more air per pound of body weight than adults, making them more susceptible to both acute and chronic respiratory problems like asthma? All idling cars are discharging dangerous emissions that cannot be seen. And our children are breathing it in almost every day.

Trucks are parked outside the post office or delis just to pick up the morning sandwich and coffee, idling for several minutes. People start their cars in the winter for 15 minutes or more to avoid the 3 minutes of discomfort driving down the road in the cold. Often they get hung up inside and forget that their car is running outside. Cars do not need much time to warm up anymore. It is a myth that causes more harm than good to cars and people. Idling increases maintenance costs as it leaves fuel residues that contaminate motor oil and make spark plugs dirty.

Did you know? Vehicles that idle 10 minutes per day waste more than 29 gallons of fuel each year.

Did you know? An idling vehicle emits 20 times more pollution than one traveling at 30 miles per hour.

Did you know? Only 10 seconds of idling uses more fuel than turning the engine on and off.

For more information, visit www.StopThe Soot.org to learn more.

Sina Brehmer-Songer
Hamburg