City Councilwoman Joann Ariola (R-Ozone Park) released a statement on Tuesday explaining why she “could not in good conscience vote for Intro 606 A,” a bill that would increase fines on idling motorists.
“Anti-idling laws were meant to prevent drivers from leaving their vehicles running for long periods of time, polluting the air and disturbing the peace in neighborhoods and business districts,” Ariola wrote. “Rigid anti-idling policies such as this one would penalize motorists who leave their cars running for short periods of time, such as when picking someone up or when allowing their cars to warm up in the cold. Slapping someone with a fine of $350 for a first offense, with fines running up to as much as $2,000 for leaving their vehicles idling for only a few minutes seems egregious, and is not something that I can support.”
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