Posted on 01/12/2014 4:35:45 PM PST by Tolerance Sucks Rocks
WASHINGTON – The recent nationwide cold snap isn’t just making Americans uncomfortable. It’s turning some into lawbreakers.
The shocking news of state and local regulations that make it illegal to warm up your frozen car is hitting home in Texas, Maryland, Ohio, West Virginia, Colorado, Wisconsin, South Carolina – even some cities in Minnesota.
Who knew it could be illegal to run back inside while your car is warming up in winter – in a practice sometimes called “puffing”?
Many Americans are getting first-hand experience this brutal winter with the latest manifestation of what some call the “Nanny State.”
The reason for such laws is usually linked with the increased threat of vehicles being stolen – and some of them carry hefty fines for enticing car thieves to commit their crimes. The laws are a little fuzzy on the newer technology of “auto-start” vehicles specifically designed for the comfort of their drivers and passengers.
(Excerpt) Read more at wnd.com ...
In Montana, it’s’ common to see vehicles left running outside resteraunts, particularly diesels.
So in your opinion the law is good because stupid people don't get their cars stolen? Since when is that a legit reason for any law - stupid or not.
“If the police are driving around the neighborhood looking for tickets to write, then they have too much free time on their hands.”
Um, that’s what a large part of today’s LEOs are charged with doing. Citing as many violations as possible, with financial penalty, per shift is how they are judged by the leadership. Revenue generation, baby, revenue generation.
Stopping a robbery, a murder, or, serving the general interest of the public doesn’t generate dollars for the department.
Too much LEO aren’t all that different from the Sheriffs of Robin Hood’s time. They are there, first, to collect taxes. Protecting your life, property, and, rights are ancillary duties.
No. You just suck it up ...
Get out to your car 10 minutes early, start your car, turn on your defrosters, and scrape yer windshields ...
Hop in your car, turn on the radio, and sip yer coffee [a must] until it is comfortable enough to drive ...
Deal with it !!!
In most of the Europe with the exception of Russia and Ukraine idling your vehicle is illegal.
BTW, they have special equipment in their cars by Hydronic and Webasto to heat cars up. Very handy for cold start.
Betcha the Auto Insurance Lobby greased the wheels on this law.
Texas, Maryland, Ohio, West Virginia, Colorado, Wisconsin, South Carolina – even some cities in Minnesota.What's wrong with this picture?
And how exactly would they determine the length of time that the car had been warming up?
Special Neighbor Rat Squads or something?
Exactly where my thought process was going...
Here is your answer,
“There’s no way to rule innocent men. The only power government has is the power to crack down on criminals. When there aren’t enough criminals, one makes them. One declares so many things to be a crime that it becomes impossible for men to live without breaking laws.”
I live in the country. I'll sit in the kitchen and drink my coffee. The dogs will tell me if anyone is in the driveway long before they get to the house.
Nanny state ping. I did this last week Sunday when we had that cold snap.
I haven’t had much trouble with my car freezing—it’s kept in the garage, and if the streets are icy, I can’t get down the steep grade of the driveway to the street out front, so I pretty much stay at home on those rare days when we have icy conditions.
My pickup stays in the driveway, and has had a frosted windshield several times this winter. I doubt the local PD ever worries about this stuff.
Time to require women to wear burkas! We wouldn’t want to entice rapists....
Flash forward 25 years later Dads out on the lake fishing 200 miles away with his friend from the local small town. Dad tells the guy about the time his car was stolen and his buddy says " Was it a blue Chevy?"
Turns out it was the same guy. He apologized up and down explaining he was a dumb kid who was walking by freezing his tail off and lo and behold there was a nice warm ride and no one looking and he just couldn't resist.
Dad forgave him and they had a good laugh at what a small world it was.
The concept of commercial liability ONLY. It applies to everything.
Let the vehicle be stolen by your next-door neighbor, caught on video and the cops won't even show up when you ask them to do so.
There's no revenue in property crimes. That's why they're not investigated.
it's all about: (1) control and; (2) money.
If there is something you do that in some small way makes your life better, you belong in jail.
In Maryland, sometime around 1970 or ‘71, I got a ticket for doing exactly that. I forgot how much, but if was a lot.
Thanks, that’s the first firsthand account I’ve heard. And sadly I’m NOT surprised it was my home state! (even 40+ years ago!)
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