Go Ahead, Michiganders, Warm That Car Up*

For many years the phrase “keep the car running” carried a fine in some Michigan locales if put into practice. At least, it once did. As of Wednesday, the state of Michigan has made it legal to warm up your car in the driveway as you stare at it, coffee in hand, from the front window. Careful, though — local anti-idling laws might still apply.

A local law enacted to prevent vehicle theft was the reason behind a $128 ticket issued to Roseville resident Taylor Trupiano back in January. A police officer handed over the civil infraction notice after seeing Trupiano’s car, with keys in the ignition, engine running, and doors unlocked, sitting unattended in the driveway for an extended period of time. The owner claimed he was simply warming up his car for his girlfriend and two-year-old son.

Eventually, the matter ended up in court. While Trupiano eventually lost his case — he was unable to prove that his driveway wasn’t easily accessible to the public — state lawmakers took notice.

Bill 4215, signed into law yesterday by Governor Rick Snyder, amends a 1949 law concerning the care of motor vehicles. While the portions pertaining to leaving a vehicle unattended on the side of a highway remain the same (brake applied, transmission in park, ignition key gone and wheels turned to the curb), owners needn’t fear their own driveways.

This assumes, of course, their vehicles contain a remote starter.

The amendment to the existing legislation simply adds three sentences. While the first two concern vehicles left on highways, the third states, “This section does not apply to a vehicle that is standing in place and is equipped with a remote start feature, if the remote start feature is engaged.” The preexisting law still applies for vehicles parked on the road in front of your house.

So, while it isn’t exactly an idling free-for-all in Michigan, the state has at least laid some ground rules to prevent overzealous enforcement officers from making your driveway warm-up an expensive one. Just make sure your city hasn’t penned an asterisk next to the amended law.

[Image: Willard Losinger/ Bigstock]