Illegal To Idle Your Car

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