Idle-Free VT Online Petition Form

Idle-Free VT • Wayne Michaud, Director • 637 Jim Dwire Rd., Bristol, VT 05443
www.idlefreevt.org • info@idlefreevt.org
Idle-Free VT is a supported project of ACoRN–Addison County Relocalization Network. www.acornvt.org

THE IDLE-FREE VT PETITION DRIVE IS AIMED AT THE 2009 SESSION.

Please read the compelling information on the Idling Facts page to understand why we need to end unnecessary vehicle idling in Vermont. Raising awareness is the most important way to get people to change their behavior on idling. But education alone will not accomplish the goal. Vermont needs an all motor vehicle idle reduction law, as exists in Burlington, the state of Massachusetts and many Canadian municipalities. When it can be said that, in addition to the reasons not to idle, it is the law, the vast majority of people will respect that and take it seriously.

The SOLE use of the information that is gathered from this petition--by Idle-Free VT only--is to submit it to the Vermont legislature in the 2009 legislative session, in support of idling legislation.

PLEASE SIGN THE PETITION

I, the undersigned, am a registered Vermont voter. I support the enactment of legislation for the State of Vermont of an all motor vehicle idle-reduction law. I understand that unnecessary vehicle idling (idling when not in traffic) needlessly wastes fuel, damages engine components, contributes to global climate change, and causes respiratory illness--particularly in children.

Please fill out the following fields (all required; Address Line 2 only if applicable).

First Name	Last Name
Address Line 1	Address Line 2
City	State
Zip	Town

Why does the petition form ask for both "City" and "Town"? Some Vermonter's addresses and towns differ. For instance, some Starksboro town residents have a Bristol postal address.

HOW WOULD AN ALL MOTOR VEHICLE IDLING LAW IN VERMONT WORK?

Currently, there are all motor vehicle idling laws in Massachusetts and Hawaii (there are more limited idle-reduction laws in 13 other states). In Canada, although there are no provincial level idling laws, there are many municipal all motor vehicle idling by-laws. Burlington, VT has a municipal all motor vehicle law that is in effect from April to November.

These laws typically restrict idling for a maximum of three to five minutes in any hour. The fining mechanism varies from a warning to a fine for a first offense and an increased fine for repeat offenses (Massachusett's five minute law provides a first offense of $100 and subsequent offenses of $500). It's important to note that all idling laws have exceptions. Here are exceptions for the Environmental Protection Agency's Model Idling Law:

(1) a vehicle idles while forced to remain motionless because of on-highway traffic, an official traffic control device or signal, or at the direction of a law enforcement official.
(2) a vehicle idles when operating defrosters, heaters, air conditioners, or installing equipment solely to prevent a safety or health emergency, and not as part of a rest period.
(3) a police, fire, ambulance, public safety, military, other emergency or law enforcement vehicle, or any vehicle being used in an emergency capacity, idles while in an emergency or training mode and not for the convenience of the vehicle operator.
(4) the primary propulsion engine idles for maintenance, servicing, repairing, or diagnostic purposes if idling is required for such activity.
(5) a vehicle idles as part of a state or federal inspection to verify that all equipment is in good working order, provided idling is required as part of the inspection.
(6) idling of the primary propulsion engine is necessary to power work-related mechanical or electrical operations other than propulsion (e.g., mixing or processing cargo or straight truck refrigeration). This exemption does not apply when idling for cabin comfort or to operate non-essential on-board equipment.
(7) an armored vehicle idles when a person remains inside the vehicle to guard the contents, or while the vehicle is being loaded or unloaded.

QUESTION AND ANSWER ABOUT IDLE-REDUCTION LAW ENFORCEMENT

Q. How can an idle-reduction law be enforced?
A. In reality, enforcing an idle-reduction law would be limited. First, there has to be a willingness by law enforcement. Typically, some police consider idle-reduction laws nuisance laws. They think there’s more important laws to enforce. With this attitude, they may hesitate to confront a violator. Governing bodies and citizens alike must make law enforcement officers aware of the serious problems of unnecessary idling. Having said that, the law can be enforced in certain situations. For example, if a school bus idles on and on with children in the area, a parent or school official can notify police, emphasizing that there is a law. The same applies for extended truck idling. The most useful aspect of an idling law is that it provides "teeth" for educational efforts. An example of this is the "Click It or Ticket" safety belt awareness campaign. A law backing up the educational effort makes it more effective.