Is It Illegal To Warm Up Your Car On A Cold Morning?
If you are like us, you like to hop into a nice toasty car when you head into work or school, but did you know you are breaking the law when you do!!
That's right! According to New York State law, it is illegal to warm up your car if you are not in your car when it is on!
According to NYS Traffic law article 33 section 1210 you may not leave a vehicle that is on and running unattended!
"(a) No person driving or in charge of a motor vehicle shall permit it to stand unattended without first stopping the engine, locking the ignition, removing the key from the
vehicle, and effectively setting the brake thereon and, when standing
upon any grade, turning the front wheels to the curb or side of the
highway, provided, however, the provision for removing the key from the
vehicle shall not require the removal of keys hidden from sight about
the vehicle for convenience or emergency.
(b) A driver may, for the purpose of getting away from the place of
standing, move another vehicle which is so placed he cannot get his
vehicle out; provided, however, that immediately thereafter he shall
reset the brake and, if on a grade, turn the front wheels to the curb or
side of the highway. This privilege is subject to the limitation set
forth in subdivision (e) of section twelve hundred two.
(c) Towing agencies, which remove vehicles unlawfully parked on
private property at request of the owner of the premises and without the
written consent of the owner of the vehicle, shall immediately notify
the local police station house having jurisdiction over the area where
such vehicle was unlawfully parked, of the description of the car which
was removed, and the time of removal.
Let's be honest...most of us break this law almost every day during the winter months. While police won't write you a ticket most of the time, just know that you COULD get a ticket for warming up your car!