My recent Turn off your #@$! Vehicle rant was inspired–inflamed actually–by the guy who kept his car running while he ate a burrito at Pica's on Tuesday evening. To be sure, I've been making mental notes on this topic since the first sub-zero temps hit Jackson Hole back in December; the burrito eater was just the last straw (it was 8°F at the time).

So, in addition to the rant, I thought I'd give readers a sense of how ridiculous the situation really is: every single vehicle pictured in the photo above is unattended and running!

This past Wednesday morning, I took my wife to the airport, then cruised through town to see how many cars were idling away. Between 7 and 8 am, with a temperature of 1°F, here's what I observed:

4 vehicles running outside the Creekside Deli
7 vehicles running outside the Loaf `n Jug
10 vehicles running at Albertsons
1 vehicle running at the Hard Drive Café
12 vehicles left running while I enjoyed a capuccino and a bagel at Pearl Street Bagels in town

That's 35 vehicles idling while their owners get a cuppa java (not counting any of the popular west side coffee shops, which I chose not to use the gas to visit).

Other prime locations for taking advantage of this mountain town phenomenon include the various post offices at almost any hour (even though it was early, there were 2 cars running outside the old post office in town at 7:45 am the other day) all three supermarkets and many restaurants–particularly those that offer take-out.

one related stat: At yesterday's Jackson Green Actions event, I distributed over 400 Turn off your vehicle, please business cards, which should begin showing up on the windshields of idling vehicles around the valley as early as this morning. Assuming most idlers are habitual offenders, I wonder how many vehicle owners will get "tagged" multiple times?

I wonder if this grassroots campaign will make a difference?

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