DALLAS -- It was just last week that we learned, in a new study, that Dallas has some of the most polluted air in the country among the largest cities. Part of the city’s plan to try and clean up the air here in Dallas is to get truckers to turn off their engines, to stop idling.

City of Dallas marshals spent Tuesday morning at various truck stops issuing $350 citations for those truckers who were caught idling for more than five minutes. All of April they were able to get warnings, now it’s tickets.

It’s part of the city’s plan to cut down on emissions. All vehicles that weigh over 14,000 pounds are subject to the new idling ordinance.

“It has been proven in other states. New York and New Jersey have always been big on the idling ordinances, and that’s were I hear most of the truck drivers have experienced this first,” said Paul Hansen, Dallas city marshal.

The reason they idled in the past was so they could keep the cabs cool when they were sleeping or having some down time. But now there are many truck stops where you can plug in, use electricity, and it’s much cheaper, especially with today’s high price of gas.

If you see someone idling for more than five minutes, you can call the city to report it. Just dial 311.

E-mail jfarmer@wfaa.com