County to Launch Anti-Idling Campaign

Aug 19, 2008 by Jeff Robinson

(KCPW News) The Salt Lake County Government plans to send out hundreds of volunteers to local schools in September with a message to parents who are picking up their children: turn off the engine.

"We are going to be knocking on windows and talking to parents as they're picking up their children," said Ann Ober, the county's Environmental Policy Coordinator. "We have decals that they can put into their windows as a reminder to turn off their cars. We're talking about the reasons why they need to reduce their idling."

Ober notes that the program won't cost much since it relies on volunteers. It's a partnership with school districts, Salt Lake City and local non-profits.

She says the benefits of not idling include improving the valley's poor air quality, saving money and preventing risks to children's health.

"We're hoping that those behavior benefits will change across the valley since these are the same individuals who are often running to the bank in order to deposit a check or the same individuals going through a drive-through on a given day, so we're hoping that this will help with a cultural shift in Salt Lake County," said Ober.

The mayor's office is scheduled to present the anti-idling campaign to the county council this afternoon. It will be directed toward elementary and middle schools.

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