Minneapolis considers, then actually passes an idiotic idling law

5/22/08--kare11.com :: KARE 11 TV - Idle time: Minneapolis may fine motorists who idle engines longer than 3 minutes

"I think as responsible communities that care about the climate we have to look at all of those things and I am happy we are taking a look at that," Mayor Rybak said Wednesday.

The intent is a good one. A running vehicle releases emissions harmful to air quality, but, is it realistic to ask Minneapolis police to carry a stop-watch and time a driver for sitting still for three minutes.

"If this was in fact an ordinance we would have to enforce we'd spend most of our day ticketing people for idling cars rather than getting down to the root of solving crime," Minneapolis police spokesman Jesse Garcia said of the proposed ordinance.

6/6/08--KSTP.com - Mpls. limits vehicle idling to 3 minutes

For the driver, reducing idling saves money in fuel. On average, a car will burn more than half a gallon of fuel for every hour spent idling. In general, 10 seconds of idling uses more fuel then restarting the car, according to the U.S. Department of Energy.

"In these times of high gas prices, it’s a way for people to save fuel. If you’re sitting in an idling car, you’re getting zero miles a gallon. That’s not good for your pocketbook or the environment," Rybak added.

Evidently Rybak considers Minneapolis drivers too stupid to make their own cost/benefit decisions about idling their own vehicles.

Update: Some commenters here are not enthusiastic about this new law.