Let's be honest, we've all done it.  It's freezing cold outside and nobody wants to sit in a cold car.  You grab your keys, start your car, let it warm up, and back inside you go.  IT'S ILLEGAL!

DID YOUR PARENTS DO IT TOO?

Everyone wants to have a warm and cozy vehicle to drive in no matter where they are going in the winter.  I remember my momma always going out extra early to warm her car up so that when she took me to school I didn't get cold.  She was just being a good mom.  Now I do the very same thing for my own children and had no idea I could be breaking the law in any way.

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IT'S ACTUALLY ILLEGAL TO WARM YOUR CAR UP IN KENTUCKY

I had an opportunity to talk with our friend, Andy Boggess, from the Owensboro Police Department, he says it is illegal to warm your car up without being inside.  It is more of a safety precaution because it could be stolen.

They don't necessarily go looking for cars left unattended but if they see you walk away from your vehicle and back inside your home they could knock on your door and ticket you.

Here's what Kentucky law says;

KRS 189.430 states "No person operating or in charge of a motor vehicle shall permit it to stand unattended without first stopping the engine, locking the ignition and removing the key."

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IS WARMING UP YOUR CAR EVEN NECESSARY?

My momma always said she had to warm her car up that it was good for it but after a little research, I found it isn't even necessary to start your car and can actually be harmful to your engine according to Myth Busters;

My husband is like a knight in shining armor and on a lot of days if he will start my truck for me so it is warm.  I go to work way earlier than him and he doesn't like for me to be cold.

WHAT ABOUT A REMOTE START?

It is not illegal to have a remote starter in Kentucky but has made it more difficult for law enforcement to tell if a car is unattended.  It is suggested that you place a sticker letting others know it is locked and safe.  

Items You Shouldn't Leave in Your Car

Right up front, I'm not including children and pets on this list; it's understood that they should never be left in a vehicle, ESPECIALLY in hot weather. And in fact, there's a device that comes with a phone app that notifies you of movement in your vehicle when you're not in it. Sounds pretty valuable to me. But back to the business at hand...what you shouldn't be leaving in your car. Some are super obvious, but I had to include them since it would just be silly if I didn't. On we go...

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