“It’s Vital Not To Idle,” Says Wellesley Girl Scout Troop 73505

It's vital not to idle flyer

Town departments across Wellesley, Girl Scout Troop 73505 and Wellesley Green Schools are proud to launch the Earth Day 2019 No Idling Campaign.  Commencing on Earth Day, Monday, April 22, Girl Scouts have been out at a variety of schools thanking drivers for NOT IDLING with handmade car fresheners with a no idling message. 

The Girl Scouts are sharing the message that not only is idling against the law and there are costs associated with idling, but it’s unhealthy, especially for children around school car lines. 

Thanks to a coordinated campaign with Wellesley’s Board of Selectmen, Health, Police, Public Works, Recreation, and School Departments, as well as Wellesley’s Housing Authority,  Natural Resources Commission, the Municipal Light Plant, Sustainable Energy Committee, Trails Committee, Wellesley Free Library, and Youth Commission, in conjunction with Dana Hall School, Friends of Brookside, Friends of Morses Pond, Sustainable Wellesley, Temple Beth Elohim Green Team,  UU Wellesley, Wellesley Cancer Prevention Project, Wellesley Village Church, Wellesley Conservation Council, Wellesley Council on Aging, Wellesley Green Schools, Wellesley Hills Congregational Church, Wellesley United Soccer Club, Wellesley Weston Chabad House, Wellesley Youth Baseball & Softball, Wellesley Youth Lacrosse Club, and the inspirational Girl Scout Troop 73505, it will be hard to ignore the town-wide no idling messaging.  

Look for IT’S VITAL NOT TO IDLE signs at schools as well as at the RDF, at Longfellow Pond and other areas around Wellesley. There are MANY good reasons not to idle.  Did you know?

• 40+ hazardous air pollutants are emitted from engine exhaust
  
• 10 seconds of idling wastes more fuel than restarting the engine
• Driving warms up your car 2 times faster than idling on a cold day
• 5 minutes is the legal limit before violating Massachusetts State Law
• Penalties for the first offense is $100 and the second and subsequent are $500
• Children have developing respiratory systems, breathe 50% more air per pound of body weight than adults, and are closer to exhaust pipes
• Outdoor air pollution is one of the 8 leading triggers for asthma attacks
• 1 gallon of gas produces 17lbs of CO 2 – a contributor to greenhouse gases
• 2 minutes of idling uses as much fuel as traveling 1 mile

Consider turning your engine off the next time you are waiting in the car. It can improve public health, protect the environment and enhance the quality of life.