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 ...
Install a remote start/stop system.
You need to warm up your vehicle or you could cause damage to it.
I am so sick and tired of busy body government trolls.
I worked for a “small” City in Texas and the Chief of Police was from the “big city” and was constantly telling all the City Employees at the “Safety Meeting” every month that We had to shut off the car/truck if We were not in it. Quoting Code # blah-blah-blah...
That works real good for the Parts store & Repair shops- have the Meter Readers start and stop the engine at every house during the Monthly Readings.
Wear out starters, ignition switches, lock cylinders, keys, batteries.
We were more concerned about the Deer stealing snacks from inside the cab while We had our backs turned.
Of course every time We pull into City Hall the first thing We see is His Unit running- A/C or heat on and find him inside the building...
Just get an illegal to warm up your car. What are the cops gonna do to them ? Arrest ‘em ?
I live in MN. I start my car on cold days using remote start. Run it for 5 minutes or so and enjoy a comfy right. I will continue to do so. Hows that police state coming along?...... F^^K em!
Actually - I live in MD, its a good law.
The number of car thefts from driveways goes up in this here parts when people start up their cars and then leave them to go inside.
Since the law went into effect, the number of car thefts from driveways is about nil.
Did the number of thefts go down, or did it just change where they get stolen?
I still like to call it "Warming up the car."
This year we have had several days in the teens below zero and many days below zero. One morning it was twenty four below.
My wife just says, "Have you started my car yet?" I think I still fear her more than I fear Nanny.
The number of reported (to the police) car thefts.
Start punishing the victims and the number of 911 calls will drop too.
A couple years ago, our neighbor was warming up her car and ran back into the house for something. When she returned to the car a couple minutes later, her purse was gone.
Poor people just got hit by burglars, too, a few weeks back. Entered through a skylight into the second story master BR. Crooks saw a burglar alarm control panel in the MBR and also saw that it was armed, so they stayed in the MBR. No motion detector in the MBR and I guess no glass-break sensors either on the second floor. They lost a lot.
Seems like it would be more unsafe to drive the car still cold and with the windows mostly frozen over. The windshield defroster doesn’t work well when the engine is cold.
That is what would happen because most people don’t have 20 minutes spare time early in the morning to sit in the car while it warms up.
Not sure - just know that there were a spate of car thefts [from driveways] in my community because people left their cars unattended. After the law - none in my area ...
FYI:
Just the other day, I pulled into 7-11, got out and locked my car [like I always do]. A car pulled in right next to me. Driver got out, apparently left the car running. While I was getting coffee, I looked out the window to see 3 "upstanding citizens" climb in the idiot's car and drive off while he was paying for his purchases. 'Course, he tried to run and catch them ...
Nope, exact opposite. Having a dark leather interior I run mine when it gets hot out with the air conditioner on.
Check out Salt Lake City’s “anti-idling” ordinance. It’s so complex you need to have a rule book when you drive.
http://www.sltrib.com/sltrib/news/52783830-78/idling-council-law-minutes.html.csp
So may be driving to work in a cold car just to trade having cars stolen from the driveway at home for having them stolen in parking lots at work or the store?
In urban areas the long arm of the law of the jungle pretty much dictates that “warming up” an unlocked car will result in a stolen car.
Isn't that kind of like blaming the a rape victim for looking hot and walking down the street alone?
;-)
Here in Colorado, the morning news stations remind their viewers of this law every severely cold morning.
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