Senate Bill S3515

                                 BILL NUMBER:  S3515

 TITLE OF BILL :
An act to amend the vehicle and traffic law, in relation to
prohibiting the idling of motor vehicles in certain counties


 PURPOSE OR GENERAL IDEA OF BILL :
Prohibit unnecessary idling of motor vehicles in certain counties.

 SUMMARY OF SPECIFIC PROVISIONS :
The vehicle and traffic law is amended by adding a new section 1202-a,
which reads as follows: (a) No person shall cause or permit the engine
of a motor vehicle, other than a legally authorized emergency motor
vehicle, to idle for longer than three minutes while parked as defined
in § 129 of this chapter, standing as defined in § 145 of this
chapter, or stopping as defined in § 147 of this chapter, unless the
engine is used to operate a loading, unloading, or processing device.
When the ambient temperature exceeds forty degrees Fahrenheit, no
person shall cause or permit the engine of a bus as defined in § 104
of this chapter to idle while parking, standing, or stopping as
defined in this subdivision, at any terminal point, whether or not
enclosed along an established route. (b) This section governs signage
prohibiting idling, warnings, locations, and penalties.

 JUSTIFICATION :
              

According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency, the
New York metro area does not meet federal guidelines for ground-level
ozone and particulate matter. The New York portion of the metropolitan
region, outside of New York City, includes Nassau, Suffolk, Putnam,
Westchester and Rockland counties, slightly over 4 million residents.
Emissions from idling vehicles is believed to be a contributor of
global warming, is a public health concern, and has been found to
shorten the lives of 70,000 people each year. As of 2006, anti-idling
restrictions exist in some form or another in 30 states.

In 2007, New York State recognized the threat of idling to public
health by passing legislation authorizing the New York State
Department of Education Commissioner to promulgate regulations
minimizing school bus idling on school grounds throughout the state.
In 2004, legislation was enacted in New York City prohibiting idling
in its five boroughs, upon which this legislation is modeled after.
Westchester, Rockland, and Nassau counties have passed different focus
of anti-idling legislation to safeguard the public's health.

With the advent of modem motor vehicles, the idea that idling has its
advantages has been debunked. The notions that cars should idle for
several minutes prior to being driven, that repeated care starts waste
more gas than idling, or that idling helps heat the engine are myths.
While some idling may be necessary, for example, sitting in traffic
congestion or remaining in line at a fast food restaurant or bank
drive-thru, most idling is unnecessary and hazardous to public health.
Appropriate signage will help indicate to the general public that
idling is a waste of money, energy, and contributes to climate change,
thereby negatively impacting public health.

 PRIOR LEGISLATIVE HISTORY :
New Legislation.

 FISCAL IMPLICATIONS :
Minimal for signage that will be phased in by the New York Department
of Transportation.

 EFFECTIVE DATE :
One hundred and eightieth day after it shall have become law.