New York City – Despite efforts by some truck operators to rein in their drivers, engine idling is a problem that still persists. In response, stricter laws were put in force.
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You might call this a form of American Idol. An idling truck and van should be voted out of the city.
One New Yorker agrees. “The odor sometimes, the fumes coming out of them,” she said.
Under state law, motor vehicles cannot idle for more than five minutes at a time. New York City limits it to three minutes, and only one minute near a school.
However, trucks and buses routinely idle for too long.
We put a stop watch on a Verizon van that idled more than the limit, and told the driver the maximum allowed.
“Three minutes? Now it’s off,” the driver said.
Councilman David Yassky (D-Brooklyn) wants increased enforcement. “I passed a bill here in the Council that allows more enforcement agents to go after them, including parks police and environmental protection police,” he said.
At W. 242 St. and Broadway, it was such a problem. A sign was posted, warning of a $2,000 fine. That’s where we spotted an ice-cream truck double-parked, and idling for more than six minutes.
When asked if he knew he’s permitted to park for no more than three minutes, the ice cream truck driver answered: “No sir. No.”
We even caught on camera an Environmental Protection van idling.
Officials believe greater enforcement and greater public awareness will help turn the engines off.
who cares about the idoling! the problem is double parked buses and trucks all over the place. forcing them to turn off their engines doesnt force them to move! how about a $2,000 fine for a truck being DOUBLE PARKED for longer than 3 minutes?
I don’t understand this law. Idling for no reason should be fined, not $2000 but something more realistic, but idling for a good reason should not be fined. For example in the summer you are waiting in your car for someone and it is hot, so you should be allowed to keep the engine running to have air-condition. Same in the winter where it is cold and you want to leave your engine running to have steam. When I will see a police car with two police officers sweating in the summer or freezing in the winter then I’ll know that this law is fair, otherwise I see it as another one of those legalized government ticket sharking.
What about all those FDNY ambulances that idle all day long. I’ve asked them to turn off their ambulances and that say they are required to keep them running all the time.
idling car can be argued as only stopping. turned off car, definitely parked. here you get another ticket! anything as outrageous as could get just for a couple moole shmoole. HORRAY FOR MIKE> GREAT JOB FOOLING EVERYBODY AGAIN! SIT ON YOUR MONEY MAKE SURE IT’S SAFE WHILE YOU DRAIN OUR POCKETS.
Another reason not to vote in the upcoming elections for Chancelor Bloomberg, I understand that the economy is bad, there are other ways to save money, like not spending $125M to change a name of the Triboro Bridge etc…
Thank you Councilman Yassky for giving Bloomberg the green light to ticket us.
When you come for your campgain fund raisers I will bring you my tickets for donations.
Shame on you Councilman I will never vote for you again.
All the traffic cops have their cars ideling as thy write tickets for an entire block