Inhaling dangerous smoke from passing vehicles may not be a cup of tea everyone, but for some diesel fans, it doesn’t matter at all. Some Diesel Truck Drivers – Whether will make a statement or just to have fun – go further by modifying their vehicles so as to release as many exhaust as possible. This phenomenon is known as “rolling coal,” and that occurs when the diesel trucks are modified so that they can deliberately blow black smoke in abundance.
Even though it can be annoying if you are at the end of this smoke receiving, there may be no many things you can do. Legal coal rolling in most of the United States. Only six states that fully prohibit coal from rolling when this article will be published, including Maine, Utah, New Jersey, Maryland, Colorado, and Connecticut.
This is not a new trend. The origin is tracking back to the competition to pull the truck or pull the power. In Motorsport, Pickup, and Tractor competing to see who can pull the farthest weighted scent trains (through the New York Times). Lately, coal rolling has received new attention because of social media, and certain Tiktok viral videos that show drivers who spray customers with what looks like dangerous smoke in Texas Whataburger restaurant
Before the countries made coal illegal rolls, federal laws already existed to prohibit drivers to add modifications to their vehicles that could change the level of emissions. However, New Jersey is the first state to ban the practice of rolling coal in 2015. Other countries immediately follow and impose similar laws as well.
Who is affected?
Make no mistake, this law is not a ban on blankets to target every vehicle on the road. Diesel trucks that usually emit a small explosion of smoke exhaust when accelerating are excluded. They also freed commercial vehicles weighing 10,000 pounds or more, or vehicles at the construction site (via the Washington Post).The target for this law is the owner of a diesel vehicle who deliberately plays their engine to blow the smoke on pedestrians, a bicycle driver, and people who pass by, do not show concerns about their health or care for the environment.
That is why the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has scrambled to take these steps in recent years. According to EPA, coal rolling is the main source of air pollution because nitrogen oxide is released into the atmosphere. In addition, scientific research shows that inhaling toxic exhaust smoke can make individuals at risk of asthma, bronchitis, and other respiratory infections. Exposure to a prolonged diesel exhaust can also worsen allergies.
Although not prohibited directly, coal rolling can still produce large fines for violators. Fines vary depending on where you live. For example, New Jersey has imposed a maximum fine of $ 5,000 for anyone who is busted rolling coal.