What is idling?

Idling happens when a vehicle's engine is running when the vehicle is not in motion. It is a bad habit that wastes fuel, adds to pollution, and contributes to health problems. 

On average, Canadians idle their vehicle for eight minutes per day. If every Canadian driver reduced idling by just three minutes a day, we would save $630 million in fuel costs and 1.4 million tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions in just one year. (Source: Natural Resources Canada)

Why reduce idling?

• Idling Gets You Nowhere … and it’s Expensive - Excessive idling not only increases the amount of costly fuel that is burned, it also adds to vehicle costs from wear on:
   
  • spark plugs
  • the exhaust system
  • the engine

    

• Idling Threatens Health - With common valley inversions in Kamloops, idling emissions linger in the airshed, which can make it unhealthy to exercise outdoors and may lead to premature deaths. (Source: Natural Resources Canada)

Particulate matter from vehicle exhaust can intensify numerous health problems, including:

• lung disease
• heart disease
• asthma
• emphysema
   
• Idling Pollutes - Carbon dioxide (CO₂) is the principal greenhouse gas linked to climate change. Every litre of gasoline that is burned produces about 2.3 kg of CO₂. The bottom line is, the more fuel you use‚ the more CO₂ you produce. (Source: NRCAN)

​What you need to know about the bylaw regulating idling.

Council voted on June 26, 2018 to adopt the amended Good Neighbour Bylaw. View the updated bylaw here.

• The bylaw prohibits all motor vehicles within city boundaries from idling for more than three consecutive minutes.
• The bylaw is not applied to vehicles in traffic or to motor vehicles that remain motionless because of an emergency, traffic conditions, or mechanical difficulties over which the driver has no control.
• Bylaw offences related to idling are subject to a $100 fine.
• The bylaw is a product of the Sustainable Kamloops Plan (2010) and the Airshed Management Plan (2012) to reduce local air pollution and maintain and enhance air quality in Kamloops.

What can you do to reduce idling?

Be more aware of the amount of time you idle. What can you do to make a change?

Talk to your family, friends, and neighbours about the benefits of being idle free. Encourage them to join you in saving money, protecting the environment, and clearing the air we breathe!