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In a long overdue move, our legislature here in NYC has finally passed a law cracking down on drivers who idle their trucks in utter disregard for their fellow urban dwellers:

In an effort cut down on the noxious pollutants emitted from idling vehicles on its streets every year, New York City recently passed a law making vehicle idling of more than 60 seconds punishable by a stiff fine.

And why is this such a big deal?

A new report by the nonprofit Environmental Defense Fund estimates that idling cars and trucks generate some 130,000 tons of the leading greenhouse gas carbon dioxide each year in New York City. According to the report, idling is also responsible for the emission of 940 tons of smog-forming nitrogen oxide, 24 tons of soot particles and 6,400 tons of carbon monoxide, each of which is associated with exacerbated pre-existing respiratory illnesses such as asthma -- the most common cause of hospitalization for children 14 years and younger and a leading cause of missed school days across New York City.

Hopefully some day we will look back at all that pollution generated by idle trucks as we now look at that old chestnut called "smoking in bars and restaurants." Does anyone miss the smoker next to them at a restaurant or bar anymore?

Didn't think so...

[more information on the damage from idling cars and trucks can be found at the Environmental Defense Fund's website]

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