Anti-Idling Policy

Implemented September 2007

Reduce Vehicle Idling 

Vehicle idling results in zero miles per gallon. Unnecessary idling wastes fuel and pollutes. Running an engine at low speed (idling) also causes twice the wear on internal parts compared to driving at regular speeds. The break-even point for shutting off and restarting gasoline engines or leaving them idle is 30 seconds – from the point of view of both emissions and fuel consumption. 

Islamorada, Village of Islands has a desire to attempt to lessen pollutants that pose a detriment to the region’s air quality. These pollutants include nitrogen oxide, carbon dioxide, particulate matter, and volatile organic compounds. However, the region is still in a non-attainment status. 

Idling of vehicles consumes approximately 17% of the fuel that a vehicle has on board. 

No Village vehicle or piece of equipment should be idled in a non-emergency situation. The operator of the vehicle/equipment is to turn off the unit and the keys are to be removed from the ignition.

Exemptions

The following situations will allow idling, as needed: 

  • Emergency vehicles at scenes where lights, Power Take Off (PTO) equipment, and/or other accessories are needed to accomplish the mission;
  • Law Enforcement/Police vehicles working traffic enforcement details;
  • Department of Public Works and Parks & Recreation vehicles/apparatus at job sites requiring the use of emergency lights, PTOs, and/or other accessories to accomplish their assignment; and
  • During disaster threats, impacts, and recovery operations.
  • NOTE: Operators of vehicles/equipment and supervisors must be judicious in the idling of units at emergency scenes and job sites. If not all of the units at the scene/site need to be idling, those units must be turned off and the keys removed from the ignition.

Responsibility

Each vehicle/equipment operator will be responsible for the idling operation of their unit and will have the unit keys in their possession to ensure that crewmembers do not arbitrarily violate the policy without the operator’s knowledge.

Enforcement

Supervisors in each department/division will be responsible for the adherence and enforcement of the idling policy. Violations of the policy will be documented as to the vehicle/equipment operator, vehicle code, location, date and time, weather conditions, and circumstances of the violation. 

The vehicle/equipment operator will be informed of the violation by the supervisor at the time of the infraction. 

The appointing authority of each department/division will be responsible for the discipline of employees found to be violating the policy.