Tue 20 Feb 2007
They were dicussing on CBC this morning whether or not there should be a by-law against drive-thru’s. Here is my two cents about that.
I think drive-thru’s are a bad idea, and should all be removed. Here’s why:
1) From a traffic stand-point: Sometimes the line gets so long, it causes traffic congestion, in the parking lot and more seriously, on the road.
2) From a quality of living stand-point: For those people who live near drive-thru’s, they have to hear the various orders being made all day long.
3) From a discipline stand-point: Drive-thru’s only foster the sense that we are too busy in our lives to stop for just a few minutes, we have to GO GO GO, and only encourages us to be lazy, as does much of our latest technology
4) From a practicality stand-point: The whole point of drive-thru’s is CONVENIENCE and QUICKER SERVICE, and yet how many of us have found it to be quicker to go inside? (I’m raising my hand)
5) From an environmental stand-point (this is last because it is MOST important: TOO MUCH IDLING! If we really cared about our environment, we would stop our cars, and take the extra 2 minutes (and in some cases LESS time than the drive-thru), take those much needed steps for exercise, maybe interract with other human beings, rather than a computer, and get our order.
The only positive thing I can think of with drive thru’s is for safety. If you’re a woman driving alone at night, whether in the city or secluded area, you might choose the drive-thru over getting out of your car. I know I would.
Other than that, let’s say “We’re through with drive-thru’s!”
February 21st, 2007 at 10:59 am
Nice post.
I find the line “and only encourages us to be lazy, as does much of our latest technology” interesting.
Obviously this isn’t the crux of your post but perhaps you could make a future post expanding on this idea as I’d be interested to hear the thought process behind it.
February 22nd, 2007 at 2:26 pm
Ana,
Great post. I currently sit on Ottawa’s Environmental Advisory committee (we advise council and city staff) and I’ve been assisting and supporting the two colleagues on the committee who have been spearheading a no-idling by-law for Ottawa. They will likely succeed. We have also fought for a no drive through by law but this one is a bit harder to fight.
Cheers,
P