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Stop idling in the carpool line!


As I see SUVs, mega-vans, trucks and other gas-guzzlers waiting for their kids at the bus stop or in front of my kids' schools, I think: Pollution. Global warming. Exhaust fumes. Waste of gas.

carpool.jpgI cannot understand how people idle their cars indefinitely. Aren't they as concerned about our energy problems as I am?

Obviously, the answer is no.

According to the Union of Concerned Scientists, you should turn off your car if you are going to idle for more than 30 seconds. I think most South Florida drivers would laugh if they heard that.

There are times we must idle our cars. I'm thinking of a slow-moving carpool line where you can't just turn off your motor. Or when it's really, really hot out and you can't leave your car for whatever reason.

But I see cars arrive at our elementary school an hour before school gets out, just so they can be first in line, and they keep their motors running! I see people parking in the school's fire lane, running into after-care to get their kids, and they leave the car on!

Do you idle your car? I would love to hear why. Maybe I am missing something here.

Categories: Elementary School (54)


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About the authors
Gretchen Day-Bryant has a son in high school and a daughter in middle school. She’s lived to tell about the struggles of juggling little kids and work.
Joy Oglesby has a preschooler...
Cindy Kent Fort Lauderdale mother of three. Her kids span in ages from teenager to 20s.
Rafael Olmeda and his wife welcomed their first son in Feb. 2009, and he's helping raise two teenage stepdaughters.
Lois Solomon lives in Boca Raton with her husband and three daughters.
Georgia East is the parent of a five-year-old girl, who came into the world weighing 1 pound, 13 ounces.
Brittany Wallman is the mother of Creed, 15, and Lily, 7, and is married to a journalist, Bob Norman. She covers Broward County government, which is filled with almost as much drama as the Norman household. Almost.
Chris Tiedje is the Social Media Coordinator and the father of a 7-year-old girl, and two boys ages 4 and 3.
Kyara Lomer Camarena has a 2-year-old son, Copelan, and a brand new baby.


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