The Bhutanese Leading the way.
In Bhutan, a growing concern that mirrors issues faced globally is vehicle idling – leaving a vehicle’s engine running while the vehicle is stationary. Though sometimes unavoidable in traffic, idling is largely unnecessary and has significant detrimental effects on health, the environment, and the economy. Despite the growing number of vehicles and subsequent increase in idling, the country lacks specific regulations to address this issue, leading to unnecessary fuel wastage and air pollution.
According to the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control, idling refers to a vehicle’s engine running while the vehicle is stationary. Though sometimes necessary in traffic, idling is often a habitual and avoidable practice. Breaking this habit is essential due to the significant and harmful consequences of idling.
Idling substantially contributes to air pollution by increasing vehicle exhaust emissions. These emissions contain numerous pollutants linked to serious health issues, including asthma, lung diseases, allergies, heart disease, infections, and cancer. Children are especially at risk because of their developing lungs and higher breathing rates.
For example, in 2003, data from South Carolina’s Department of Health and Environmental Control showed that vehicle exhaust worsened asthma symptoms, affecting approximately 91,000 children and resulting in increased hospital visits and school absences.
In Bhutan, the growing number of vehicles and subsequent increase in idling could pose similar health risks, especially to children and individuals with pre-existing health conditions.
No part of the Bhutanese community is untouched by the prevalent practice of vehicle idling. Both in remote areas and bustling cities, vehicles are often left idling to “gear up” their engines before setting off.
Kinley Penjor, a resident of Thimphu, shared his observations. “During my tour in the east, I saw a vehicle owner keeping their engine running all night before driving during the day. The driver claimed that without doing so, the vehicle wouldn’t move,” he said.
Similarly, Karma Wangmo, a student and frequent traveler, noted, “When I travel by bus, I often see drivers arriving early and leaving their engines running. Passengers sometimes gag from the fumes and smoke spreading in all directions.”
Conversations with vehicle owners reveal a common belief that idling helps evenly distribute engine oil before driving. They also tend to idle longer during winter, believing that cold temperatures cause the engine oil to thicken and impede proper distribution.
This practice is often passed down from one vehicle owner to another, with many believing that running a vehicle without idling could cause long-term engine damage.
Contrary to popular belief, there’s no need to idle your car for extended periods on cold days. According to John Ibbotson, chief mechanic at Consumer Reports, it’s beneficial to let your engine run for about a minute to warm up the cabin and defog the windshield. However, idling beyond this point is unnecessary and leads to wasted fuel and increased emissions.
John Ibbotson, chief mechanic at Consumer Reports, explains that modern engines are fully lubricated within 20 to 30 seconds of starting. Extended idling is unnecessary and results in wasted fuel and increased emissions.
The report revealed that in the past, older engines were at risk of damage when started because they weren’t well lubricated for a brief moment. However, advancements in technology mean that modern engines are fully lubricated within 20 to 30 seconds. John Ibbotson advises that once you start your car and fasten your seatbelt, the engine is ready to drive, even if it hasn’t fully warmed up.
Idling contributes to smog and climate change by producing emissions. In the United States, eliminating unnecessary idling would be akin to removing 5 million vehicles from the roads, highlighting its significant environmental impact.
Many jurisdictions have implemented laws to curb idling due to its negative effects. States such as Massachusetts, Maryland, New Hampshire, New Jersey, Vermont, Hawaii, and parts of California, Colorado, New York, Ohio, and Utah impose fines for idling.
Similarly in Singapore, idling is illegal except when waiting in traffic. The Environmental Protection and Management (Vehicular Emissions) Regulations prohibit idling for reasons other than traffic conditions to prevent pollution and reduce fuel wastage. Key points of this regulation include:
The National Environment Agency (NEA) enforces fines for motorists who idle their vehicles. First-time offenders are fined USD 70, while repeat offenders face USD 100 fine. Those who refuse to pay may be fined up to USD 5,000.
Idling emits harmful substances like carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide. Turning off the engine for just 10 minutes a day can save approximately 165 kilograms of CO2 annually.
Contrary to popular belief, idling consumes more fuel than restarting the car. An hour of idling can burn nearly a liter of fuel, resulting in unnecessary financial costs.
Unlike many countries, Bhutan lacks specific regulations on vehicle idling. The Bhutan Construction and Transport Authority (BCTA) has noted that vehicle idling, defined as leaving a vehicle’s engine running while stationary, is not addressed in the Road Safety and Transport Act of 1999 or the Road Safety and Transport Regulation of 2021.
Although not directly related to idling, section 374 of the Road Transport Regulations 2021 mandates that “A person leaving a motor vehicle unattended shall park the vehicle properly, switch off the engine, apply the parking brake, and lock the vehicle to ensure the safety of other road users.” This regulation aims at safety but does not cover the environmental and economic impacts of idling.
BCTA agrees that vehicle idling leads to significant fuel wastage and increased air pollution, releasing toxic emissions. Regulating idling could mitigate these negative effects. However, BCTA said that relevant agencies need to conduct thorough studies to understand the advantages and disadvantages of implementing such regulations before enacting them into law.
The Department of Environment and Climate Change has indicated that this issue falls under the purview of the Ministry of Information and Transport, particularly BCTA, as they are the primary regulatory body for transportation.
The absence of regulations addressing vehicle idling in Bhutan raises significant concerns regarding public health, environmental sustainability, and economic efficiency. Without proactive measures to curb this practice, the nation risks exacerbating air pollution, fuel wastage, and associated health risks.
Urgent action is needed from regulatory authorities to study and implement effective measures to mitigate the adverse effects of vehicle idling, ensuring a cleaner, healthier, and more sustainable future for Bhutan.
