Idling of an on-road vehicle over 8,500 pounds gross vehicle weight for longer than three minutes is, in most cases, prohibited in Delaware. Violators are subject to penalties of not less than $50 and up to $500 for each offense. Subsequent violations carry fines of $500 - $1500.
DNREC adopted Regulation 1145 - Excessive Idling of Heavy Duty Vehicles in April 2005 and the Division of Air and Waste Management’s Enforcement Section began ticketing operators in violation last September.
Heavy duty vehicles subject to this regulation include long-haul and delivery trucks, and transit and school buses. Emergency fire, rescue, and lifesaving vehicles are exempted. Other vehicle operating situations also may fall under the Exemption Section of the regulation, which can be accessed online or obtained by contacting Phil Wheeler at (302) 739-9402.
Delaware is one of more than 25 state and city jurisdictions that have implemented regulations addressing idling time for heavy-duty vehicles. New Jersey and the city of Philadelphia also have established maximum allowable idling time restrictions.
Impacts to Delaware’s Air Quality
The regulation furthers DNREC’s efforts to reduce emissions of nitrogen oxides, fine particulates, and other tailpipe pollutants from heavy-duty vehicles operated in the state. “Vehicle emissions contribute significantly to our overall air quality, and we are particularly concerned with diesel exhaust,” said Ali Mirzakhalili, Air Quality Management Section Administrator. “Regulation 45 and our plans to enforce the anti-idling regulation of heavy duty vehicles are important in helping us reach our goals of improving air quality and protecting public health in Delaware.”
For more information about vehicle idle reduction visit US EPA’s Idling Reduction website; http://www.epa.gov/otaq/smartway/idling.htm
Reporting Violations
Citizens can report idling violations by calling the Air and Waste Management Enforcement Section’s 24-Hour Environmental Complaint Line in-state at 1-800-662-8802. In addition, citizens with Verizon Wireless service can call #DNR from their cell phones to register a complaint.
Program Contact:
Phil Wheeler
Air Quality Management Section/DNREC
89 Kings Highway
Dover, Delaware 19901
Phone: 302.739.9402
philip.wheeler@state.de.us
