Hey New York State, it’s me, and I’m cold! With the winter months upon us I often find myself slipping on my Uggs, wrapping a towel around my wet hair, and bundling up for a quick run out to my truck where I start the engine and crank up the heat. By the time my hair is dried and my coffee is made, I am welcomed to a toasty vehicle with an ice free windshield. Who knew I, along with hundreds of other New Yorker’s were such rebels. That’s right! If you are going out in the morning to warm up your car then you are sticking to the man. According to the New York State Vehicle and Traffic Laws if you leave the keys in your ignition and your vehicle is unattended then you are at risk for a ticket.
Seriously New York State; a ticket for warming up my truck? While there is a lot of debate surrounding the idea of warming up our vehicles in the winter months, I didn’t think the state would take such a hard stance. Many mechanics might agree that the warm-up routine is a left over habit from the days of carburetors and mineral based oils; however my Dad would be happy to give you the same lecture I heard back in high school. Whether or not warming up your car is necessary to maximize performance, we can all agree getting into a toasty car makes the morning commute a lot more pleasant. Especially, for those of us living in the upstate areas who are waking up to temperatures well below zero on a regular basis.
So, where did this law come from? The state says Article 3 section 1210 is an attempt to protect us from automotive thefts. However, since 2006 motor vehicle thefts have decreased by 52.5 percent across the state (http://www.criminaljustice.ny.gov/crimnet/ojsa/ind...). According to the New York Times, the main reason for this decrease, particularly in NYC, is that stealing cars is not as lucrative a crime as it used to be. Scrapping cars without a title requires that you show a photo ID, making it easier to track down those engaging in theft. Legislators, this law doesn’t seem to be playing much of a role in decreasing motor vehicle theft. Rather it looks like criminals have moved onto other more promising ventures and New York State is seizing the opportunity to make another buck off me.
While the lawmakers have their drivers who will undoubtedly sit freezing in their cars while they warm up, most of us mere peasants are not ask lucky. Fellow, rebels I will continue to warm up my car this winter and perhaps even leave it running if I have to make a quick stop at the grocery store or the gas station! I might be risking a ticket but I will be warm.
