Idling rules could get tougher under bylaw changes

The City of Ottawa is looking at revamping its idling bylaw to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and wants to know what residents think.

Enacted in 2007, its idling control bylaw limits most drivers to running their vehicles for no more than three minutes in a given 60-minute period when the temperature is between 5 C and 27 C.

There's currently a survey online until mid-March, seeking feedback on why residents idle, where they see other vehicles idling and how that affects them.

"We are asking several questions around potential policy changes, in particular considering a reduction from three minutes to one minute," said Matthew Suatac, a bylaw review specialist with the city.