House Approves Legislation Allowing Drivers To Warm Up Cars On Private Property

From the Associated Press — Legislation advancing in Michigan aims to let residents legally leave a vehicle running unattended on private property. The bill, approved 77-30 by the House Tuesday, was proposed after a Detroit-area man was ticketed $128 for leaving a car running in his driveway as the vehicle warmed up. A state rules requires people to stop the engine and remove the ignition key before letting a vehicle stand unattended. The bill would keep the prohibition in place only for vehicles parked on public streets. The sponsor, Republican Representative Holly Hughes, says warming up or cooling down a car is common practice. The legislation goes to the Senate. It’s opposed by cities and others who say it would make it easier to steal cars.