(WTVO) — A growing number of cities across the country are passing ordinances to ban the construction of new restaurant drive-thrus.
Why?
Proponents say the bans will help curb pollution, make the cities more walkable, and improve health problems related to obesity, according to Today.com.
In August, Minneapolis became the latest city to pass a fast-food drive-thru ban. The zoning changes only affect new construction. Cities in California, Missouri and New Jersey have also implemented similar bans.
Consumers have been voicing their concerns that the disabled, the elderly and parents may have an essential convenience taken away.
According to the National Restaurant Association, 25 percent of restaurant visits in the U.S. happen at the drive-thru window.
According to a 2015 study by the research organization RAND, when South Los Angeles banned new drive-thrus in 2008, the obesity rates actually increased among residents, between 2007-2012.
The research found that people still used drive-thru windows at the restaurants that had them.
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