One of Minnesota’s Twin Cities just banned drive-thrus.
The Minneapolis City Council has outlawed the construction of new drive-thru windows, in an effort to make air cleaner and roadways safer.
Don’t worry—you can still get your on-the-go McDonald’s fix: Existing establishments have been grandfathered in to the updated ordinance.
In a country that thrives on fast food and even faster convenience, this sounds like a pretty drastic measure.
But, as local news service Wedge Live pointed out, drive-thrus are not particularly prevalent in the “Paris of the High Plains.”
The Minneapolis City Council hopes this change will reduce idling and help reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 80 percent in 30 years.
A larger plan, dubbed Minneapolis 2040, also plans to phase out gas stations and mandatory parking regulations—the latter of which encourages car ownership in the metropolitan area, according to CNET.
As an added perk, the zoning reform could also boost pedestrian safety.
It takes a lot of concentration to understand and respond to the crackling voice behind the drive-thru menu screen. And, OMG, the excitement of that piping-hot bag of grease sitting in your lap…
If you think about it, drive-thrus are a recipe for disaster.
A 2017 study by the University of South Florida found that each fast food joint in a low-income block added an average 0.69 pedestrian crashes every four years.
McDonald’s, Wendy’s, and Taco Bell were associated with an increased risk of severe injuries. Walmart, meanwhile, contributed to 1.8 more pedestrian crashes over the same period.
More on Geek.com:
- McDonald’s Drive Thru Gets AI Upgrade
- Amy’s Drive Thru is a Meatless Fast Food Joint
- Massive Bullsnake Found in Bathtub of Minnesota Home
