As I’ve written, every day seems to bring a new rescission of our freedoms. Add this one to the growing list of things we won’t be able to do in our cars:
NEW YORK – The fumes from idling taxicabs and delivery trucks can be so bad outside city schools that teachers race to close their classroom windows at certain times of the day to protect their students.
A new law seeks to cut that pollution by giving vehicles just 60 seconds to idle in a school zone.The measure signed into law this month cuts the allowed idling time from three minutes to one minute around schools, and gives more city agencies the power to issue violations. It also requires an annual violations report so officials can track enforcement.
In 2007 there were 526 idling violations and all but 10 were for diesel vehicles.
This is a continuing attempt to kill the diesel engine in America, despite the fact that diesels in Europe are the most fuel-efficient and very popular.
But let’s do what I call the “Logical Extension” to this law:
I submit it’s another way to create more funding for the city — any city — by way of fines levied against “offenders.”
I also submit it’s another way of ensuring that ONLY hybrid vehicles are allowed in this nation, because hybrids customarily kill the ICE (internal combustion engine) at a stop.
Please note this remark, however:
Now, Kalin said, the main problems are vehicles that have nothing to do with the school but are simply idling nearby, like delivery trucks and general street traffic.
Again, the Logical Extension: when stopped, you may find yourself having to continuously stop and start your car. And therein lies your Catch 22: municipalities have consistently refused to repair, widen or build new streets, resulting in horrendous traffic crushing. So, having created that problem they may end up fining you for their problem and neglect.
That’s any municipality’s Wet Dream, the best of all possible worlds: less work, more cash.
If it’s happening in NYC you can bet administrators and the Religious Left, nationally, are salivating at the thought of enabling this law in your area.
BZ
Do these idiots realize that a diesel wastes less fuel and causes less polution running that it does starting it every 5 minutes? And for a gas engine it is less poluting to have it idle for 2 minutes than shutting it down and restarting it?
When waiting in school lines you usually idle when the weather is VERY HOT or VERY COLD. I know, I idle despite our school signs saying not to. I must admit I do it even if I don’t have to because, A. I want to support the oil industry and B. I am a rebel against the G.W. religion at our school.
I say, go ahead.. sue me.. I will just start and stop my car thank you. As a matter of fact, I will go to the school during the summer when school is out and sit there idling turning my car on and off if i have too. :0)
Totally off the subject BZ.. Thought you might enjoy this link. The language is really bad, but it is pretty funny/accurate:
http://www.cracked.com/article_17522_6-new-personality-disorders-caused-by-internet.html
They will not be satisfied until the Democratic leadership and their cronies own all the wealth in this country and everyone else is an unarmed serf living on the edge of starvation. This people envy the way Kim controls NK.
WMD: no, they don’t. I subscribe to many car magazines due to my job at EVOC, and there have been many columns on that precise issue. Starting and stopping an engine is tough on the engine.
Rivka: they ya go, makin’ a clear STATEment! I’ll check the link.
Shoprat: excellent point, AND they apparently dislike revolution against NON-Constitutional agents in government — hence the love for Zelaya in Honduras and NOT the proper and lawful removal of him.
BZ
BZ that was exactly my point diresels especially are far mor efficient and less poluting running than being turned off and on.