Pick a day and see if you can count how many idling vehicles there are in the neighbourhood or while running your errands.  In 1 hour, you can typically count 50! Did you know an idling vehicle emits several times more pollution than a car driving 30km/hr.  Did you know that a car built before 1995 creates almost 20 times more pollution than a modern vehicle? Did you know there were over 1800 unnecessary deaths in Ontario caused by air pollution and smog?

Idling vehicles in adriveways  and  parking lots create unnecessary noise pollution and air pollution that have a direct effect on local air quality and health issues.  It is  estimated that over $10 million of fuel is idled away and in Burlington from vehicles sitting idling in driveways, parking lots and parks.  It is  also estimated that $50-100,000 in fuel is burned by idling vehicles from city fleets alone including buses at GO stations.

To combat this problem, on June 1, 2009 an idling control by-law (27-2009) came into effect that would make it an offence if drivers  leave a parked car idling for more than 1 minute, year round. The city by-law officers and Regional Police officers could ticket an idling  vehicle much like a parking ticket, even if the vehicle is unoccupied but left running.

This is and was a good move and IF ENFORCED would have a positive impact on the local quality of life, air quality, impact on health ( elderly and children) and enjoyment of the outdoors.

YOUR TURN: Burlington promotes itself as a green community but is it really working? Have your say.  Is the idling by-law working? How can it be better  enforced? What do you think should be done to stop unnecessary idling in our community? Offer your comments below. 

WHAT IS BEING  DONE ABOUT THE PROBLEM? DADA ( Dads Against Dirty Air), is helping to promote clean air initiatives in the community focusing on no idling in school zones, parks ,driveways and more.

DADA, a group of citizens concerned for the environment and our kid’s health and safety, provides an outreach program and FREE pledge cards to residents who want to ask others to pledge not to idle, for the kids sake and the planet.   Schools who want to engage parents and school buses to stop idling can get free banners and materials  as well as signage for the parking lots...all FREE to parent council groups who ask for it.  To learn more and get involved, visit http://www.dadacanada.com/ 
Steve  Rieck /Founder  of DADA