I’ve observed my share of diesel pickups running around town, deliberately blowing black smoke out their exhausts—these drivers I suppose thinking they’re impressing folks or being cute. This act is called “rolling coal” for one specific reason.
Wikipedia offers the following explanation: “Rolling coal is the practice of modifying a diesel engine to emit large amounts of black or grey sooty exhaust fumes—diesel fuel that has not undergone complete combustion. It is a predominantly an Anglo American phenomenon, despite being illegal. Rolling coal is sometimes used as a form of anti-environmentalism.”
Having been behind a few of these rigs, I watched them leave stoplights pedal to the metal, leaving behind huge black clouds of unburned particulates and carcinogens. My dashcam generally catches the action, along with the license plates of those vehicles creating this pollution. Mine isn’t the only camera out there doing so.
I’ve talked with a few guys having modified their trucks to puke out this smoke, with them telling me in Arizona there’s no law against such. Their analogy may be correct, but there’s a federal law, and it’s a heavy hitter as the Diesel Brothers will attest.
At one time there was a reality television show called “Diesel Brothers.” It was a favorite of mine, but I sometimes wondered how they got away with what they did, namely, modifying diesel engines to put out noxious smoke, and then putting it out there on television for all to see.
Several seasons after this show came out, owners of the Diesel Brother’s shop, along with television producers, were sued by a group of Utah doctors for violation of the clean air act, and ultimately socked with an $850,000.00 lawsuit. The EPA was directly involved in these court hearings. That entertaining show went off the air soon afterwards.
The State of Arizona nor Lake Havasu City may not do anything to these rolling coal fanatics, although they could, yet the EPA definitely will. Coal rollers seem to forget that dashcams are being used more and more these days, with some newer cars and trucks either coming with them, or available as an option. “Smile, you’re on candid camera!”
All a person recording this violation needs to do, is send in their digitalized SD card with a clear image of the infraction, also showing vehicle license number, to the EPA, and they’ll take over from there. A hefty fine to the violator could soon follow. I’m not one to go this extreme, but some folks concerned about air quality would, and probably have, and I don’t blame them.
What these ignorant truck owners are doing, is no different than intentionally setting a rubber tire on fire in their backyard, and then blowing that toxic smoke to the surrounding neighbors. A similar act where water pollution is concerned, would be akin to a boat owner dumping their porta-potty contents into our lake, near Rotary Park Beach, where people are swimming just to get a reaction.
In the country we live, some people believe under the guise of freedom, that they have the right to pollute air that others must breathe. Citizens having heart, lung, asthma, and emphysema problems are most affected having to inhale these toxins. Rolling coal polluters might find their acts funny, yet probably won’t be laughing so hard after being hit with a mega-thousand dollar EPA fine. I’m sure the Diesel Brothers aren’t laughing about theirs.
I like to write junk... 