Lung Association Wants Rules Against Idling Vehicles

March 5, 2010 (phoenix.bizjournals.com) The American Lung Association of Arizona is encouraging school districts, businesses, and city and county governments to adopt anti-idling policies for their vehicle fleets to help cut down on pollution in the state.

The association wants Arizona to adopt policies similar to those California implemented in 2008, which prohibit commercial trucks, school buses and other vehicles from idling for more than five minutes and impose fines on violators.

“With a little effort, a lot of the air could be cleaned up,” said Stacey Mortenson, state director of the American Lung Association.

She said the Lung Association already has been pressing school districts to adopt anti-idling policies for buses and will push the issue further with city and county governments and private businesses in an effort to reduce emissions.