IDLE-FREE NEW JERSEY

Idling your car is an American pastime. Why do we idle? Because we are picking up friends; we are waiting in line; we are trying to keep warm (or cold); or we think car engines still need time to warm up. But, all these reasons for idling pale in comparison to the reasons not to idle. 

On main reason not to idle is that it is against the law in the state of New Jersey. And, on July 15, 2008, the Township of Maplewood issued Resolution 137-08, supporting the “no-idling” codes for the state of New Jersey (N.J.A.C. 7:27-14, 15 and N.J.S.A. 39:3-70.2). These codes prohibit idling in your vehicle for more than 3 minutes. 

But, behind every law there are a few good reasons. Here are five reasons not to idle: 

FIVE REASONS NOT TO IDLE:

1. Idling for 10 seconds uses more gasoline than restarting your car.
2. Idling for 10 minutes uses as much fuel as it takes to travel five (5) miles.
3. Children are especially vulnerable to air pollution. They breathe faster than adults, inhale more air per pound of body weight, and stand at tailpipe level.
4. You are not safe from air pollution inside an idling vehicle. Exposure to some pollutants is actually higher inside an idling vehicle than at the roadside.
5. It only takes 30 seconds to warm up your car and start driving on cold days. 

Source:  www.cleanwateraction.org/idlefreenj