Transportation

Why Dallas Can't Strengthen Anti-Idling Rules

By Robert Wilonsky Mon., Oct. 4 2010 at 9:10 AM
Categories: City Hall, Transportation
No Idling in Banff.jpg
​On March 23, 2007, the Dallas City Council signed off on the anti-idling ordinance, which went into effect October 1, 2007, and penalized vehicles weighing more than 14,000 pounds from idling for more than five minutes between April 1 and October 31 -- the so-called "ozone season." Drivers caught idling longer than five minutes are punished with a fine that can't top $500. But as far as the city's concerned, idling of "heavy-duty vehicles" is a "major contributor to the ozone problem in the Dallas-Fort Worth area," and the current law isn't tough enough, which is why city staff has been looking at refining the ordinance.

Says a memo Assistant City Manager Jill Jordan sent to council Friday, staff's been researching making the ordinance year-round, and lightening the load from 14,000 pounds to 6,000 pounds. Problem is, the current ordinance is the same as the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality's -- and if they city passed its do-over, then that would make Dallas's anti-idling laws stricter than the state's. And that's a no-go. TCEQ is considering going year-round, but not dropping the weight requirement. Jordan's memo to the council explaining all the what-the-whats follows. Dallas Anti-Idling Update
Email to Friend
Print Article

We Recommend

My Voice Nation Help
0 comments
  Livefyre
Sort: Newest | Oldest
VOICE Daily Deals

Slideshows»

Retail

General

More >>
©2013 Dallas Observer, LP, All rights reserved.
Browse Voice Nation
  • Voice Places Dallas / Fort Worth

    Voice Places

    Find everything you're looking for in your city

  • Happy Hour App

    Happy Hour App

    Find the best happy hour deals in your city

  • Daily Deals

    Daily Deals

    Get today's exclusive deals at savings of anywhere from 50-90%

  • Best Of

    Best Of...

    Check out the hottest list of places and things to do around your city