Idling Your Car in the Hudson Valley May Become Illegal

A proposed law could make it illegal for you to park your car with the engine running in the Hudson Valley.

The law was proposed by State Assemblyman Tom Abinanti from Westchester. According to the Democrat and Chronicle in Albany, if passed, the legislation would make it illegal to keep the engine of your car running for more than three minutes when not driving. Violators would get a warning the first time and then a $150 fine for subsequent violations.

Abinanti first proposed the no-idling law back in 2012, but on Thursday it was finally presented to the State Senate. There is already a law that prohibits trucks and busses from idling for more than 5 minutes at a time.

Drivers with remote starters who are concerned about getting into a freezing cold car in the winter can rest easy. The law does make exceptions that allow for longer idling in freezing cold temperatures and when stuck in traffic.

We want to know what you think. Do you believe this law is a good way to help thwart global warming? Or do you fear that this legislation may just cause you more inconvenience?