Environmental laws???

[SharpMomOfTwo]

So heres the story.... DH just went into the post office down the street. He just had to run in, so he left the car running (no one in it). He said he saw woman taking down his licence plate number - she said that she was going right over to the police stating to turn him in for breaking an environmental law. That its illegal to leave your car running for more than 2 minutes. Anyone ever heard of this? We live in NJ.

 

[Disney Doll]

My guess is that the police will laugh at her.

 

[Octoberbride03]

My guess is that the police will laugh at her.

Yeah, this would be my guess. There might be a law on the books, but I'm sure the cops have waaaaay too much to do to bother with it.

 

[starwood]

I don't know of such a law but let me relate an incident in our town when someone left their car running "for a minute". Down the block from my mother someone pulled their mercedes out and ran in the house to get the keys to another car so they could move that out. He left the mercedes running. When he came out someone had jumped in his car and was driving away. He got in the other car and followed while he was calling the police. Well the thief was speeding down the street when he ran a red light at in intersection hitting a Honda. The car was cut in half and a little girl was killed.

Please - always shut your car off and take the keys with you.

 

[allison443]

In NJ there is a law against idling your vehicle for more than 3 minutes. (I live in NJ like you)

If you google it you will find that it is true.

I never understand why people leave their cars running-unless it is in bad shape and you can't turn it off for fear of it not starting up again

I doubt the police will do anything though.

 

[SharpMomOfTwo]

In NJ there is a law against idling your vehicle for more than 3 minutes. (I live in NJ like you)

If you google it you will find that it is true.

I never understand why people leave their cars running-unless it is in bad shape and you can't turn it off for fear of it not starting up again

I doubt the police will do anything though.

I don't know why he did / does it - I never leave my car running, even infront of my own house. It bothers me to waiste the gas!!

 

[Chicago526]

Yeah, it would bother me more that he left his car open to being stolen rather than breaking "enviromental laws". And I consider myself pretty green!.

I know two people that have had cars stolen like that. One left his car running outside a Toys R Us, he went back in to get the gifts he'd bought and load the car. Came back and it was gone. The other was like the OP's DH and left her car outside a post office while she ran inside for just a minute. Came back and it was long gone.

 

[hiwaygal]

We have a City code that doesn't permit cars to idle (even in front of your own house). It could be a safety thing as well as an environmental issue.

 

[tink_n_pooh]

OP - it wasn't the Swartswood post office by chance was it? I drive by there every morning and see a sign they put up in the window that is hand written talking about how exhaust fumes are hazardous to their health and to turn off your engines

 

[Rora]

While it may be a law, I doubt the police will do anything.

Good luck!

 

[The Mystery Machine]

Similiar laws here however people ignore them.

 

[storzo]

There is a law against leaving your car idling. For safety reasons, evironmental reasons or a combination of both...I don't know.

The police will not be able to do anything since they did not witness the violation, however if this lady wanted to she could issue a summons herself.

 

[LindaR]

What a busybody!!!! I hope he used the "correct" finger to point the way to the police station!

 

[disney1990]

It is against the law to leave your car running, even in your own driveway, where I live. It doesn't matter if it is 5 minutes or 1 minute.

I would think, however, that the police would have to witness the car running.

 

[golfgal]

So heres the story.... DH just went into the post office down the street. He just had to run in, so he left the car running (no one in it). He said he saw woman taking down his licence plate number - she said that she was going right over to the police stating to turn him in for breaking an environmental law. That its illegal to leave your car running for more than 2 minutes. Anyone ever heard of this? We live in NJ.

Many states/towns, etc. enacted these laws a couple years ago when gas prices were so high.

 

[JessicaR]

Who knew!?

New Jersey’s Department of Environmental Protection made a 20-county idling sweep in August and found 101 trucks in violation of the state’s three-minute idling limit.

“All 101 drivers will be fined $200 for the first violation,” says department spokeswoman Erin Phalon. If they idle over three minutes again, the next fine will be $400, she says. The state will impose $1,000 and $3,000 fines on drivers for third and fourth violations.

It’s not just New Jersey. At least 25 other state and local jurisdictions have active no-idling laws, enforcement is more likely than ever, and similar laws are under consideration in other areas with air quality issues. Most enforcement starts with a warning, but penalties can reach $25,000 and include a year in jail.

http://www.etrucker.com/apps/news/article.asp?id=45557

 

[JR6ooo4]

our town does not allow cars to be running unattended.

Mikeeee

 

[wvjules]

Does that mean you can't start your car on cold winter mornings and go inside while it warms up?

 

[tink_n_pooh]

Does that mean you can't start your car on cold winter mornings and go inside while it warms up?

Pretty much

 

[ZephyrHawk]

Lots of places have rules about this, and yes, it's generally a safety issue and not an environmental one. A car is a deadly weapon. Do you leave loaded guns out where kids can find them on the street? Then don't leave your car running.