We
all know that the relationship between cars and cell phones is addictive and
can often be disastrous. You know you really shouldn’t be dating that phone
while you’re driving but you’re doing it anyhow. There is a new trend that I have noticed this summer
regarding the ubiquitous use of cell phones in parked cars, though not as dangerous as
talking/ texting while driving it does have a clear and deleterious impact on
the environment and it is also illegal.
The fact is- it is against the law
in the state of New Jersey to idle a vehicle for more than 3 minutes in most
situations, (traffic, emergency vehicles or police cars not withstanding) The
first offence of N.J.A.C. 7:27-14,15 is punishable by a $250 fine, the second
offense is $500 and the third is $1000.
That’s not chump change but
unfortunately this law is usually not enforced. People idle their vehicles
anyway, when it is hot, when it is cold, when it is too windy and from my
observations there is no temperature that is optimal for not sitting with your
car running. But recently I have seen more and more people sitting in their
idling vehicles talking on their cell phones.
When I am up for it I do go and ask
politely, “Would you consider not idling your vehicle while parked?” I have had
very mixed reactions from asking that simple statement: Some people turn off
their cars and apologize, some people get defensive and don’t and now others
say,” I would but I need to charge my cell phone.”
Newsflash/Hashtag : A standing
gas powered engine is not a phone charger.
Car
exhaust contains carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide as well as many other
pollutants and carcinogens. According to the Colorado Dept of Public Health-
idling your engine for just one minute produces as much carbon monoxide as
smoking three packs of cigarettes.
How big a problem is this? Just
look in any place that people are waiting in cars- a parking lot, a train
station, a school pick-up location and you will see idling vehicles. Look a
little closer and more times than not you will see a cell phone in plain view.
With all the information we have
regarding climate change, turning off a car’s engine when parked is clearly one
of the simplest actions a person can take. Remember a standing car is getting 0
miles to the gallon even if cell phone bars are ratcheting up.
