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Car Idling Times Considered By City Council

Friday, 16 October 2015 05:50

The Woodstock Environmental Advisory Committee appeared at council to ask for a change to the city's idling bylaw.

WOODSTOCK - New guidelines could be coming for the length of time you can idle your car in Woodstock.  

Member of the Woodstock Environmental Advisory Committee Maryjanne Yusyp was on hand to discuss why they would like to see the bylaw limiting idling to 5 minutes changed to just 2 minutes. "There's a lot of research that idling your car is just bad: it's bad for the environment, it costs money, and it is a waste. It also supports the new city strategic plan where they want people to be more aware of the air quality, and so we thought that this would be a good time to lower the allowable time for car idling."  

Yusyp explains the consequences that will result from breaking the by-law. ''What happens is they get a fine or a warning. But really it is a difficult by-law to enforce. What we really have to do is increase the awareness and educate the public." Large markets such as Toronto and Vancouver have become 1 minute idle cities and Yusyp feels Woodstock can follow suit.  

City Council appeared to have mixed reactions by the presentation. Councillor Todd Poetter felt this will take the ''Friendly" out of the Friendly City and reduce the amount of traffic downtown. Council decided to bring the issue up again at a later meeting.

"I'm hopeful that when all the information is considered in more depth it will give city council some time to ponder what the implications are, and they will see that it is time for a change," says Yusyp.

The by-law was last reviewed over 15 years ago and currently includes temperature exemptions for different seasons such as in the winter when idling times can be increased.

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