Attention: This is a No Idling Zone

I confess it’s great that school is back in session for the 2011-2012 school year. It's so nice to see the little ones and well, not so little ones walking or biking to school. I cannot help but notice the signs in front of the schools that read, "No Idling Zone, Little Lungs at Work." It makes perfect sense to ask those who are picking up or dropping off students to cease and desist from idling their vehicles.

After all, sitting there with combustible engines idling is bad for the environment, our lungs and it is a waste of gas. In August, it’s quite a challenge to not idle the vehicle with the air conditioner on full blast when outside temps are well over 90. Some schools have shade for cars to wait under, but really, the pine trees might save drivers a few degrees. Other than a passing shower which might cool some drivers off who dare to stand out in the rain for a refreshing respite, there’s rarely an escape from the scorching sun.

Indeed there are a few things drivers can do to beat the heat in the No Idling Zone. Car operators may put their bathing suits on before heading out to the school. Perhaps they can throw a bucket of Gatorade over themselves while pretending that they’re coaches who just won a championship. Or maybe the schools could have a nice air-conditioned waiting lounge? No, that would create a mess and besides, most kids would be embarrassed to see their parents in the school on a daily basis.

Owning a convertible car might help in this situation, but most of us don’t own them since the maintenance and insurance is probably high on those fancy vehicles. Students can always hop on the back of their guardian’s bike, motorcycle or scooter, but I doubt that would go over well with school administrators.

It’s not good to idle a vehicle for very long, or so I’m told by mechanics, but I see police cars idle for what seems like days. I wonder if their cars are equipped with a special uber-idle feature.

Seriously, it’s a tall order to ask people who bravely line up to get students at the hottest point in the day to sit in a stuffy car with the windows rolled down -- or hopefully rolled down. We all want cleaner air and to save gas in this economy, but we all wish to stay cool and well, alive. There are no easy answers.