Why is Idling a Problem?
Wastes Money
An idling vehicle gets the worst gas mileage possible – 0 miles per gallon - and wastes between a quarter and three-quarters of a gallon of fuel per hour. Idling for as little as 10 minutes a day over the course of a year can waste as much as 45 gallons of fuel. Excessive idling can also damage a car's engine components and lead to costly repairs. Car manufacturers recommend no more than 30 seconds of idling to warm your car before driving, even in cold weather conditions.
Pollutes Our Air
Like driving, an idling vehicle releases harmful emissions into the air. Vehicle exhaust contains a variety of pollutants including nitrogen oxides(NOx) and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that produce ground-level ozone when mixed with sunlight and warmer temperatures.
Harms Our Health
Pollution from motor vehicles can cause a variety of health problems especially for sensitive populations - people with heart and lung disease, children and the eldery.
Exposure to particulate matter - tiny particles of soot and dust in air - can decrease lung function, exacerbate cardiovascular problems and lead to chronic bronchitis. Ground-level ozone and NOx can cause or worsen respiratory diseases such as asthma, emphysema and bronchitis.
