LETTER: Idling Law on School Property

Idling law on school property.

On December 16, 2008, the Governor signed Chapter 386 of the Acts of 2008 to Improve School Campus Air Quality. This law is to be implemented by August 1, 2009 and is regarding the Idling of Motor Vehicle on School Grounds. All parents should read this law carefully because it applies to every parent that drives their child to school. Chapter 90 Section 16B and 540 CMR 27.00 of the Mass. General Laws states that “no person shall cause, suffer, allow or permit the prolonged idling of a motor vehicle engine on school property in violations of these laws.” An operator or owner of a motor vehicle who violates this section shall be subject to a civil assessment of $100.00 for the first violation and $500.00 for a second violation. The purpose of this law is to restrict unnecessary idling time and to govern the time during which a motor vehicle can idle on school grounds, in order to improve and protect school campus air quality. I think the easiest way to understand this law is to explain it in “non-law” terms.

The law basically states that no-one can leave their motor vehicle running on any school grounds. A school ground is defined in the law as, “any property on or within 100 feet of the real property of any public or private accredited school…..” Like most laws there are exemptions. Traffic conditions: For traffic conditions over which the driver has no control, or for an official traffic control device or signal, or at the direction of a uniformed police officer or a person authorized to direct traffic. Queuing at a School: Where the physical configuration of a school requires a queue of vehicles for the sequential discharge or pickup of students and the queue of vehicles are actively engaged in the discharge or pickup of students for no longer than one minute in any 15 minute period provided that the exterior temperature is less than 35F (for heating purposes only). If the exterior temperature is greater than 80F and it is not practical or possible to open the windows or to park in a shaded area and the vehicle is equipped with air conditioning, then idling is allowed to cool the interior of the motor vehicle not more than one minute in any 15 minute period during which the motor vehicle is waiting to accept or discharge passengers. Safety and Emergencies: For buses to operate the flashing signal lamps, defrosters, heater and air conditioner for only the period necessary to ensure a reasonable interior temperature….. There are other exceptions to this law that pertain to commercial vehicle so for more precise information regarding this new law, please refer to the Commonwealth of Massachusetts website: www.mass.gov/legis/laws/mg/90-16b.htm.

Remember Safety First!!

Editor's Note: The information above was submitted by Stoneham safety officer Joseph Ponzo.