Cut The Engine: Wellesley To Issue $15 Fine To Idling Cars

WELLESLEY, MA — Wellesley drivers should start to think twice before they leave their cars running in the parking lot or on the street corner. The tow added a new anti-idling violation that could fine drivers $15 if they're caught idling.

At the end of August, Wellesley's Select Board voted to amend the town’s traffic regulations to include an anti-idling violation. The $15 fine is a lesser version of the state's anti-idling violations which fines drivers $100.

The violation prohibits vehicles to run the engine while stopped on a road, for more than five minutes.

Wellesley Police Chief Jack Pilecki said he requested the amendment to the traffic regulations and worked with the Sustainable Energy Committee and Sustainable Wellesley on the amendment. The new regulation gives police officers the option to issue a warning, the $15 fine or the $100 state citation.

Pilecki said Wellesley residents can expect to see more officers patrolling for idling cars, specifically at the schools’ drop-off and pick-up lines and in front of frequently visited restaurants and businesses.

"The goal is to educate and remind Wellesley citizens about the energy waste, harm to our environment and adverse health issues caused when individuals needlessly leave their vehicles running for a lengthy time," Pilecki said.

Pilecki offered facts for residents to review before choosing to leave their car running:

• 2 minutes of idling uses as much fuel as traveling 1 mile
• There are over 40 hazardous air pollutants emitted from engine exhaust
• 10 seconds of idling wastes more fuel than restarting your engine
• Air pollution from idling vehicles has been linked to serious human illnesses including asthma, heart disease, chronic bronchitis, and cancer

• 3 pounds of pollution per month are generated by every vehicle dropping off and picking up kids at one school

• Leaving your engine running for more than 5 minutes is against the law