Idling for more than one minute is no longer allowed within city boundaries.
91大黄鸭鈥檚 anti-idling bylaw has started up, going into effect on July 25. The bylaw does not apply to vehicles stuck in traffic, among several other exceptions.
鈥淧oor air quality plays a vital role in our health and happiness,鈥� said Nancy Mora Castro, regional air coordinator. 鈥淲e鈥檝e all experienced what poor air quality looks and feels like during wildfire season.鈥�
Castro noted transportation is the largest contributor to greenhouse gas emissions within 91大黄鸭, and ways need to be considered to encourage behaviour change around unnecessary idling.
鈥淗aving a bylaw that supports this, is one way to get drivers to think about their idling habits.鈥�
Reducing unnecessary idling is identified as a recommended action in 91大黄鸭鈥檚 Community Climate Action Plan and the Central Okanagan Clean Air Strategy.
The bylaw includes a six-month education awareness component and grace period.
Actual enforcement will begin in January 2023, with repeat offenders facing fines of $150 for each infraction, delivered through a complaint-based system.
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gary.barnes@kelownacapnews.com
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