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Dozens of truckers in Newark were recently reminded of the law’s existence the hard way, courtesy of citations issued during a special two-day enforcement operation involving city police and the state Department of Environmental Protection.
Also assisting were commercial vehicle inspection teams from the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, who together issued the citations May 20 and 21. The crackdown took place in the East Ward, where heavy truck traffic passes through on its way to the neighborhood’s many factories and warehouses.
All told, 39 idling violations were issued and six violations for smoke emissions. Under state law, most vehicles are prohibited from idling -- keeping the vehicle’s engine running without moving -- for more than three minutes.
"Excessive vehicle idling is harmful to the air we breathe and is especially concerning in areas of our state that are already overburdened by multiple environmental stressors," DEP Commissioner Catherine McCabe said.
"The pollution that results from excessive idling also contributes to greenhouse gas emissions, another great risk to New Jerseyans. We must do everything we can to reduce these emissions to keep our air clean and healthy and mitigate the effects of climate change."
"New Jersey has had a no-idling law in effect since 1971 and we will continue to enforce it, in order to maintain quality of life and protect public health," said Richelle Wormley, Acting Assistant Commissioner for Compliance and Enforcement. "These types of enforcement sweeps will continue throughout the state."
Penalties for excessive idling of commercial vehicles are $250 for a first offense, $500 for a second offense, and $1,000 for the third offense and each subsequent violation.
More than 40 percent of the greenhouse gases emitted in New Jersey come from idling vehicles, officials said.
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