Coal Rolling Now Illegal in Colorado (Fort Collins, Montrose: buying, construction, law)

[Colorado Rambler]

From Colorado Public Radio:
https://www.cpr.org/news/story/coal-...ne-in-colorado

Coal rolling is when people driving cars and trucks intentionally belch black clouds of exhaust on pedestrians, cyclists, Prius drivers, al fresco diners and liberal protestors. Lawmakers in both parties decided it has become a road, health, and safety hazard in recent years, and they passed a bill penalizing coal rollers. Governor John Hickenlooper signed it into law on June 5.

Apparently "coal rolling" has become a problem in some Colorado cities, especially Fort Collins. I've never experienced it out here, although I've been known to engage in all the behaviors above except for being a "Prius driver." I'm all for freedom of speech, but this should not include tampering with your vehicle so that you can blow black clouds of diesel smoke into the faces of people you don't like or as some sort of joke. The fine for doing so is now $100.00. This is one traffic law that I hope Colorado enforces.

[jim9251]

This is a real problem in Montrose with stupid kids and their diesel trucks, especially if you're behind them in a convertible or motorcycle. Hope a box of tickets are given out here.

[SkyDog77]

Man! There goes all my weekend plans.

[eatsDEN]

what about older diesel trucks that need to be tuned, and are thus burning excess fuel?


I think most newer trucks doing this sort of thing are chip modified,
so it would be fairly easy to surmise that any "coal rolling" done in a new truck was intentional --
but on older trucks -- this sort of thing seems heavy handed to me, personally...

[Timmyy]

I have seen trucks do that during a road rage incident. I laughed because the recipient got smoked out. I do agree it should be illegal to do it on purpose.

[pikabike]

Originally Posted by Colorado Rambler

From Colorado Public Radio:
https://www.cpr.org/news/story/coal-...ne-in-colorado



Apparently "coal rolling" has become a problem in some Colorado cities, especially Fort Collins. I've never experienced it out here, although I've been known to engage in all the behaviors above except for being a "Prius driver." I'm all for freedom of speech, but this should not include tampering with your vehicle so that you can blow black clouds of diesel smoke into the faces of people you don't like or as some sort of joke. The fine for doing so is now $100.00. This is one traffic law that I hope Colorado enforces.

Haven't had it done to me in particular, but I have definitely seen the stuff billowing out (in the Four Corners area), often accompanied by an obnoxiously loud roar. One truck actually had a decal bragging about being a coal roller.

I, too, hope the law will be enforced. Why put out more dirty air when it is just for show? Would those people fart extra-loudly and stinkily ("I fart in your general direction")? Juvenile.

[TreeBeard]

Coal Rolling is just further proof of evolution.

[bluescreen73]

It's a stupid practice that, like buying an over-the-top sportscar at age 45, is a sure sign of someone overcompensating for something (LDS).

[jwiley]

Maybe next they will ban farting in public. No I do not even own a pickup, but it causes no real harm and is just another example of using the government to control actions that some people do not like.

[RobertGray]

How do you tell if a diesel truck is "coal rolling" or just needs engine work (has worn piston rings, etc)?

I think 90% of the time when you see black smoke coming out of a diesel exhaust it just has a worn out engine. With all the construction going on in the area there are a lot of old diesel trucks still in use.