Whether its summer or winter, I see parked cars idling and polluting in the credit union parking lot, the grocery parking lot, the mall parking lot; anywhere that people drive to go shopping they sit and wait for spouses, while running their cars for a few minutes and even 10-20 minutes.
I think the city (Vernon in my case) shouls enact bylaws that fine this kind of offense. The air quality here in the North Okanagan and through the valley pretty much is famous for it's low quality in the hot summer months, and it's agravating to see cars spewing exhaust which only makes it worse.
How do we start a petition to curb unnecessary idling of vehicles?
I think starting a petition is relatively easy - just make a form and photocopy it. The hard work comes when you want people to sign it ,that is 'how' do you get it out there. Usually it takes many hours of volunteering to ask the public to stop and sign a worthwhile cause. This is totally worthwhile. I don't like the North Okanagan pollution either. Maybe this forum could get Vernonites and all North Okanaganites to consider signing something online right here.
This is something that really drives me crazy, all I can think is that most people must be ignorant to what they are doing. Here are some facts I found on the gov't of canada website for anyone who wants to know exactly what idling does.
•An idling engine releases twice as many exhaust fumes than a vehicle in motion. •If every driver in Canada avoided idling for 5 minutes a day, we could prevent 1.6 million tonnes of carbon dioxide from being emitted. •Restarting your car many times has little impact on engine components, adding only around $10 per year to the cost of driving, money that is recovered in fuel savings. •Ten seconds of idling uses more fuel than restarting the engine.