Patrol Cars: To Idle or To Switch Efficient Vehicle Unit?

The rising fuel prices have created great impact to numerous consumers of today. This impact was great enough that they were compelled to change some of their driving habits just to conserve fuel consumption. This gas crisis is actually noticeable to reach the acute stage that even police vehicles were pushed to shift their routes. But in Palm Bay, Florida, they have different ways to reduce the police vehicle’s fuel consumption. Here, the police officers were banned from permitting their patrol car to idle. This was mandated by Police Chief William Berger.

Before, these police units were allowed to idle only when a prisoner or an animal is left inside the vehicle. But since they are conserving fuel consumption now, putting the police units in idle is now permissible. Once the units were turned-off, the on-board computers will be rebooted. The air conditioner will no longer run as well, hence, reducing gas consumption. Too clever huh! Well, maybe not really for such mandate is questioned by some individuals. Such practice can eventually lead to poor level of service of the police force although this was justified by Lt. Andrew Walters from the Brevard Country Sheriff’s Office. Walters stated that the motorcycle unit will stay intact since this is an important part of their service. Oops! I think I am sensing an argument.

Certainly, instead of allowing the police units from idling, there can surely be a better option to reduce gas consumption. Like for instance, why not opt for a more efficient vehicle? In fact, this is what the other agencies have actually done. This is testified by Cocoa’s Acting Police chief Mark Klayman by saying, “our fuel usage is actually less than what it was last year because we shifted from Crown Victorias to Chevy Impalas. The Impalas provide better mileage.”

The Impala comes with a front-wheel-drive that has unibody design. This auto uses V6 engine as compared to the crown Victoria, which is a customary rear-wheel-drive and uses V8 engine with body on frame vehicle. Additionally, this auto can carry six passengers and attains 16-mpg in the city while 24 mpg in the highway--very inconvenient to drive for policemen.

Apparently, shifting to Impala is a better alternative than to put the police units idle.