Did you know that idling your vehicle too long can get you a ticket, whether or not it is on private or public property? And you must clean the snow off your vehicle before driving away.

The short answer is Yes! If you idle for more than three minutes (for a gas powered car) and for diesel vehicles up to fifteen under certain circumstances. From the State of New Jersey, “If the inspector (Police officer) observes idling that exceeds the three minute standard, and is not allowed by one of the exceptions in the idling rule, the driver of the vehicle will be issued a field Notice of Violation (Ticket).” Plus, “First offense for a verified violation for idling will result in assessed penalties of $250.
Subsequent or continuing violations may be subject to penalties of up to $1,000 per violation.
Both the registered owner of the vehicle and the owner of the property where the idling occurs
may be subject to these penalties.”

So not only will you have to pay a fine, the owner of the property (if not you) may also be ticketed. As a point of information a modern car does not need to idle for more than a minute after being started before it can be driven. This law is on the books to prevent needless pollution coming from your car. A car pollutes more when cold, the next time you start your car when it is cold get out and you will smell the gasoline that is not being completely burned.

Now on to the fact that in New Jersey you must clean all snow or ice off your vehicle before you drive away. Per the official New Jersey website, “Remember to remove all ice and snow from your vehicle before driving, especially from the hood, windows and roof. It’s the law in New Jersey! Motorists who fail to do so face fines of $25 to $75 for each offense, regardless of whether the ice and snow is dislodged from the vehicle. If flying ice or snow causes property damage or injury to others, motorists face fines of $200 to $1,000 for each offense.” So the next time it snows you better clean off your car or you might get fined and besides you are a moving hazard with all that snow and/or ice flying off toward other cars.

That is my opinion- Jumpin Jersey Mike