One Reddit user shared a satisfying story about someone trying to “roll coal” at them.
The practice is illegal because it uses aftermarket exhaust controls that spew out large amounts of toxic diesel fumes that endanger people’s health and blur their vision. This behavior often happens to pedestrians, cyclists and electric car drivers, perhaps to make them aware that coal rollers disapprove of their healthy living choices.
“I suspected he might do it, so I was ready when the green light came on,” the poster wrote in November. “He started out fine, then a big cloud of black smoke came out. Can’t compare to the acceleration of HI5 [Hyundai Ioniq 5] although! ! “
“My kids laugh at acceleration (they’re like ‘go fast!’),” the OP continued. “And the black cloud just shows up in the rear view mirror. Love the car! But can’t believe people actually try to roll coal on an electric car. What must be going on in their heads, it’s amazing.”
In an effort to prevent diesel vehicles from being converted to run coal, the Justice Department filed a lawsuit against eBay in September, accusing eBay of violating federal clean air laws by facilitating the sale of 343,000 aftermarket malfunctioning devices that circumvented motor vehicle emissions controls. This could result in $2 billion in fines.
The health effects of diesel exhaust are many, but rolling coal is extremely dangerous for both victims and perpetrators. In 2021, a Texas teen hit six cyclists while rolling coal, while another Reddit user shared a video of a coal-rolling truck crashing head-on into a highway guardrail.
The plume of pollutants includes microplastics, nitrogen oxides, arsenic, benzene, formaldehyde and nickel, which can cause cell mutations that can lead to cancer, according to the California Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment. More immediate problems include eye, nose, throat and lung irritation, coughing, headache, dizziness and nausea.
People with allergies and respiratory conditions are also more susceptible to these problems when exposed to diesel exhaust. Children and the elderly are also particularly sensitive to fine particle pollution.
“Ugh, I own an electric car now and never thought this would happen to me,” one user wrote. “Of course, as a cyclist I’ve encountered all kinds of weird adult children (men) over the years, from rolling coals to yelling incoherently at the women’s cycling team because we preyed on their deep insecurities. I can’t wait to see this coming and leave them in the dust.”
Another said: “I think it would be cool if there was a system that allowed you to blow bubbles out of the back end of your car in retaliation.”
Join our free newsletter for easy tips Save more, Reduce wasteand help yourself And help the planet at the same time.
