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Stop worrying about idling and sidle up for a cup |
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Written by -- Jillian Merrick
Prince George
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Friday, 16 May 2008 |
I think the debate over idling thus far has missed the point.
First, it is illegal to shut off your engine while at an intersection, so I don’t think we need to worry about enforcing anti-idling laws at red lights.
Second, the question of whether idling for five minutes or turning off your car at a drive-thru creates more emissions only diverts attention away from the real issue: the fact that you shouldn’t be using drive-thrus at all.
The University of Alberta conducted a study monitoring Tim Hortons drive-thrus in Edmonton and found that you could save almost $100 a year in fuel costs by parking and going inside. Understandably, drive-thrus are a godsend for parents with minivans full of screaming children or those less mobile because of a disability, but the majority of people I see at Tim Hortons on a weekday morning are single and assumed to have functioning legs.
Getting out of your car and going inside for your morning coffee not only saves you money, it re-establishes the face-to-face contact with employees and other customers that is lacking in so many service industries these days.
With so many people agonizing over the extra costs of the new carbon tax, it blows me away to see those same fools using the drive-thrus every morning. Bottom line: park your car and go inside, and don’t forget to bring your reusable mug.
-- Jillian Merrick
Prince George
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Last Updated ( Friday, 16 May 2008 )
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