Vancouver’s anti-idling law takes effect; Association wants truckers exempt

VANCOUVER — Working transport trucks are not exempt from the tough, new anti-idling bylaw recently passed by the City of Vancouver.

The rule — which fines drivers for idling for three minutes in a 60-minute window or while the vehicle is unattended — takes effect immediately, but won’t be enforced for six months.

When the educational period is up, truck drivers caught sitting in their vehicles with the engine running will face fines of at least $100. Idling car drivers, meanwhile, will only have to cough up $50.

City officials admit there won’t be many anti-idling cops on patrol, but expect most of the enforcement to come via complaints from private citizens.

The bylaw does not apply to emergency vehicles or buses that are loading or unloading passengers.

The BC Trucking Association called the bylaw discriminatory on two fronts: First, it arbitrarily applies a higher fine against truckers.

Also, truck drivers, unlike passenger car operators, at times need to idle as part of their daily activities. In a letter to the City, the BCTA said trucks should be considered workplaces and that idling for the purpose of heating or cooling the cab should be exempted.

While it mulls over the proposal, the City said it would use discretion when applying fines.