Date: December 15, 2016
Re: Leaving Vehicles Unattended and Running
Issued by: Det. Sgt. Jeremiah
P. Marron Jr.
____________________________________________________________________________
Darien,
CT- We know the frigid weather is on its way, but
never leave your car running while unattended.
With the cold gripping
much of the nation, thousands of drivers are starting their cars and leaving
them idling for a few minutes while they warm up on cold mornings. It’s a bad idea even
if you are planning to make just a quick stop somewhere. Many vehicle thefts
are crimes of opportunity, and a person could decide to make off with your
vehicle if they see that it is empty and has the engine running.
The National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB) says that 1 out of every 5
stolen vehicles had keys in them, while nearly half of vehicles were unlocked
when stolen. According to
the U.S. Department of Energy, most of today’s cars do not require more than 30
seconds to warm up. An idling car can
burn as much as a half-gallon of gas in an hour, so turning the car off is more
fuel efficient and causes less air pollution.
Did you know you might be violating the law? In an effort to
protect our air, environment and health, the Connecticut Department of Energy
and Environmental Protection (DEEP) adopted a regulation in 2004 that prohibits
vehicles of all kinds from unnecessary idling for more than 3 minutes. The
regulation applies to all “mobile sources,” including all vehicles. Exceptions
are made for the following situations:
·
When a vehicle is
forced to remain motionless because of traffic conditions or mechanical
difficulties over which the operator has no control
·
When it is necessary
to operate defrosting, heating or cooling equipment to ensure the safety or
health of the driver or passengers
·
When it is necessary
to operate auxiliary equipment that is located in or on the vehicle to
accomplish the intended use
·
To bring the vehicle
to the manufacturer’s recommended operating temperature
·
When the outdoor
temperature is below 20 degrees Fahrenheit
·
When the vehicle is
undergoing maintenance that requires it to be operated for more than three (3)
consecutive minutes, or
·
When a vehicle is in
queue to be inspected by U.S. military personnel prior to gaining access to a
U.S. military installation
If drivers must leave their cars
idling, they should have two sets of keys so the car can be locked while
running and the extra set can be used to unlock the door when the driver
leaves. Remote car starters also allow drivers to start their cars while locked
and require the key be in the ignition before it can even be put into drive,
making it harder for thieves to steal.
It’s better to have a cold
car than no car.