An anti-idling campaign is underway in the Town of Collingwood. "In cooperation with the Environment Network we are conducting an anti-idling campaign encouraging Collingwood residents to conserve energy, breath easier and save money by reducing unnecessary idling" said Councilor Ian Chadwick in a presentation to Council on Monday October 1st.

The anti-idling campaign began Monday October first, and includes a campaign message on the town of Collingwood web site, radio public service messages, a broadcast fax campaign, school visits, the distribution of decals to taxi companies and arranging for signage installation at various business locations throughout town.

Councilor Chadwick and the Environment Network hope to further raise public awareness of anti-idling issues. ”We had front page coverage of the bylaw when it was enacted, and 10 advertisements have been placed on the town page since 2005" Chadwick said. In addition, Councilor Chadwick pointed out that signage has been purchased and erected at every entrance to the Town of Collingwood to inform residents and visitors of the anti-idling bylaw. Chadwick says a notice of the anti-idling bylaw will be included in the 2008 budget brochure that is being circulated with the final tax billing.

Councilor Chadwick reminded Collingwood residents that the fine for idling is two hundred dollars. To date, no fines have been handed out, but warnings have been issued to many offenders. Chadwick says for the most part he has found people to be most understanding of the idling issue. “I’ve found in my own experience that when you go out and talk to people in the parking lot when their cars are idling, they don’t know about the anti-idling bylaw” Chadwick said. “Think about it, they’re doing it for convenience. When you talk to them, all but perhaps one or two in the last year have quite willingly turned their vehicles off” Chadwick added.

Councilor Chadwick walked through a five step program designed to eliminate excessive idling. The first step is to reduce your vehicle warmup time. "Even on the coldest days you really only need 30 seconds to get fluids going" Chadwick stated. The second step is to turn off your engine after ten seconds. "Idling for over 10 seconds uses more fuel than it would take to re-start your engine" Chadwick pointed out. The third step is to minimize the use of remote car starters. Chadwick said this process can easily lead to having a car idle for up to 10 minutes. The fourth point encourages you to use a block heater to keep your vehicle motor warm. The fifth point is to avoid what Chadwick referred to as “quick errand idling,” the act of stopping at a convenience store for example and running in to do some quick shopping while leaving the vehicle running. “In addition, this is hard on your pocket book and poses an invitation to car thieves” Chadwick said.