District of 100 Mile House council was provided with an overview of this summer’s Idle Free 100 Mile campaign at a recent meeting.
The joint campaign of the South Cariboo Sustainability Committee (SCSC) and the District of 100 Mile House was summarized in a report presented by SCSS board members Patricia Spencer and Peter Jarvis, and district planner Joanne Doddridge.
Doddridge said district staff and the SCSC worked together on the campaign, which fits with one of council’s strategies to reducing community-wide transportation emissions 20 per cent by 2020.
The trio explained how the May 1-Sept. 1 campaign was organized during the previous winter. Then by the end of spring, the initial signs provided to stores wishing to help with the campaign began to appear on store and municipal buildings throughout the downtown core.
Mayor Mitch Campsall officially kicked off the campaign on May 6 by attaching Idle Free 100 Mile signs to the Safeway building and handing out cake and coffee.
Advertisements appeared over the summer, both in the 100 Mile House Free Press and on the Wolf Radio, offering tips on avoiding the negative effects to health, the environment and the pocket book.
Jarvis said reminders were also placed into various utility bills.
“In all, 34 signs are now in place around town reminding drivers that idling can be avoided.”
While the initial campaign has ended, the signs will stay up or be reposted next year, and the SCSC suggested some funds be made available next spring to remind drivers that idling is rarely necessary, especially once spring and summer arrive.
Spencer reported the lasting effect of the campaign is hard to establish, but it undoubtedly raised the awareness of the benefits of reduced idling in our community.
“We believe the Idle Free 100 Mile campaign in 2013 was a very positive step towards developing awareness about reducing idling in our community. In order to be most effective, however, we believe that more public outreach will be necessary.”
She added several businesses commented on the “stinky exhaust fumes” from idling engines that otherwise enter their establishments.
Jarvis explained the main message of the campaign was that with modern engines, idling can be significantly reduced even in engine warm-ups, and the emission controls operate most efficiently when a newer engine is under load.
Therefore, gasoline consumed with a stationary vehicle is wasted, while idling can increase gas consumption by up to 10 per cent and decrease the engine’s life, he added.
There are a couple of signs available to local businesses at cost ($33.60) by contacting Peter at 250-791-7284 or bandp2@shaw.ca; or Patricia at 250-791-1901 or earthwiseps@shaw.ca.
Campsall said the campaign seemed to spread and bring more enlightenment about exhaust pollution to drivers across the community.
“People looked at it as something worthwhile to participate in. To me, that is a complete success. [Organizers] did a good job and it is appreciated.”
