Idling
What Is Vehicle Idling?
Vehicle idling occurs when a car, truck, or bus is stopped with the engine running. While brief stops in traffic are unavoidable, many vehicles idle unnecessarily while waiting to pick someone up, sitting in a parking lot, warming up, or making deliveries.
Unnecessary idling wastes fuel, contributes to air pollution, and exposes drivers, passengers, and people nearby to harmful exhaust emissions.
Why Does Idling Matter?
Even when a vehicle isn't moving, its engine continues to produce pollution. Vehicle exhaust contains harmful pollutants, including:
- Nitrogen oxides (NOx)
- Fine particle pollution (PM2.5)
- Carbon monoxide
- Volatile organic compounds (VOCs)
These pollutants contribute to smog, poor air quality, and respiratory and cardiovascular disease.
Idling is especially concerning around places where people gather, such as schools, childcare centers, playgrounds, parks, healthcare facilities, and workplaces.
How Does Idling Affect Your Health?
Breathing vehicle exhaust—even for short periods—can irritate the lungs and make breathing more difficult.
Exposure to vehicle emissions has been linked to:
- Asthma attacks
- Coughing and wheezing
- Eye, nose, and throat irritation
- Reduced lung function
- Heart disease
- Lung cancer
- Increased respiratory symptoms in children
Children are particularly vulnerable because their lungs are still developing, they breathe more air relative to their body size, and they often spend time near idling vehicles during school drop-off and pick-up.
Did You Know?
- Turning off your engine and restarting it generally uses less fuel than idling for more than about 10 seconds.
- Modern vehicles do not need long warm-up periods, even during winter. The best way to warm up your engine is to drive gently.
- Idling produces 0 miles per gallon while continuing to emit pollution.
- Reducing unnecessary idling helps improve local air quality, lowers fuel costs, and reduces greenhouse gas emissions.
New Hampshire's Anti-Idling Law
New Hampshire regulations limit unnecessary vehicle idling to help protect public health and reduce air pollution.
The maximum allowable idling time is:
| Outside Temperature | Maximum Idling Time |
|---|---|
| Above 32°F | 5 minutes |
| -10°F to 32°F | 15 minutes |
| Below -10°F | No time limit |
Certain exemptions apply, including emergency vehicles and situations where idling is necessary for safety or vehicle operation.
Simple Ways to Reduce Idling
You can help improve air quality by making a few simple changes:
- Turn off your engine if you'll be stopped for more than 10 seconds.
- Avoid warming up your vehicle by idling. Instead, drive gently until the engine reaches operating temperature.
- Limit the use of remote starters to cold weather when needed.
- Avoid waiting in drive-through lines when practical.
- Combine errands to reduce unnecessary trips.
- Encourage your workplace, school, or community organization to adopt a No Idling policy.
Protect the Air Around Schools
School drop-off and pick-up areas often have many vehicles idling in one location. Turning off your engine while waiting helps reduce children's exposure to harmful exhaust emissions and improves the air they breathe every day.
Parents, caregivers, bus drivers, and school staff all play an important role in creating healthier school environments.
Every Minute Counts
Choosing not to idle is one of the simplest ways to reduce air pollution, protect lung health, and conserve fuel. Small actions by many people can make a meaningful difference for our communities.
Turn the Key. Be Idle-Free.
