Metro Council members in Nashville are considering a new bill that would impose a $50 fine for people caught idling in their vehicle for long than three minutes.
Council members are hearing the measure Tuesday night for the first time.
The bill applies for vehicle idling for longer than three minutes while parking, running or stopping.
Bill BL2020-114
An Ordinance to amend Chapter 10.56 of the Metropolitan Code of Laws to limit the idling of motor vehicles.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE METROPOLITAN GOVERNMENT OF NASHVILLE AND DAVIDSON COUNTY:
Section 1. That Chapter 10.56 of the Metropolitan Code of Laws is hereby amended by creating a new section 10.56.310 as follows:
10.56.310 – Idling Motor Vehicles
A. No person shall cause or permit the engine of a motor vehicle, other than an authorized emergency vehicle as defined in Section 12.04.020, to idle for longer than three minutes while parking, standing, or stopping.
B. No person shall cause or permit the engine of a motor vehicle, other than an authorized emergency vehicle as defined in Section 12.04.020, to idle for longer than one minute if such motor vehicle is within an established school zone while parking, standing, or stopping.
C. Subsections A and B shall not apply to the following:
1. When a vehicle is stopped for an official traffic control device or signal, for traffic conditions over which the driver has no control, including but not limited to a line of traffic, railroad crossing, construction zone, or at the direction of a law enforcement officer;
2. When necessary for safety or an emergency;
3. When necessary for vehicle maintenance;
4. When necessary to accomplish work for which the vehicle was designed, except transporting passengers, or to operate equipment;
5. School buses actively engaged in the discharge or pickup of students;
6. School buses idling for a period or periods aggregating not more than 20 minutes in any 60-minute period when temperatures are less than 40 Degrees Fahrenheit or greater than 75 Degrees Fahrenheit.
D. The driver of any vehicle found in violation of this section shall be subject to a fine in the amount of fifty dollars.
Section 2. This Ordinance shall take effect from and after its passage, the welfare of The Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County requiring it.
Source: fox17.com