Friday, April 4, 2008

There should be an exception

This post is about three months too late, but I just realized that it is illegal to warm up your car by leaving it running in the driveway.

From the Vehicle Code:

Sec. 11‑1401. Unattended motor vehicles. 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 ignition, effectively setting the brake thereon and, when standing upon any perceptible grade, turning the front wheels to the curb or side of the highway.

What? Are you serious? No exceptions? Other sections of the vehicle code talk about "on a public roadway," or "outside a business, no one shall...," etc.

Shouldn't there be an exception for people starting their cars in their own driveway? Or am I missing something?

What do the readers think? Let me know by posting your comments below.

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

Is that chronological? What if I apply the parking brake before shutting off the engine? What if I really be cavalier and turn the wheels curbside, shut off the car, put on the emergency brake, then remove the key? Will I be arrested?

Maybe some of our lawmakers should leave their car running in a closed garage.