Bill Would Allow MI Residents To Warm Up Their Cars On Private Property

A bill moving through the Michigan House of Representatives would allow residents to warm up their cars while parked in private drive-ways unattended. Sponsor state Representative Holly Hughes tells Michigan News Network she’s heard from people statewide outraged to hear of a man who was ticketed for leaving his car running. The plan is designed to prevent situations like that.

“So that there’s no penalty on anybody, or a $128 fine like in Roseville for a gentleman who had warmed up his car in his own yard,” Hughes said.

Hughes says the section of the Michigan Vehicle Code that forbids leaving an unattended vehicle running on a public roadway would remain. She says the bill also ensures that this change would not modify any obligation of an auto insurer arising from the theft of an automobile.