It’s Illegal in Kansas City to Warm Up Your Car in Your Own Driveway?

Okay, so now we've started the new year officially on a BAD FOOT.

Apparently people up in the city have been getting TICKETS for leaving their cars running in their driveway.

Sec. 70-251. - Unattended motor vehicles.

No person driving or in charge of a motor vehicle shall permit it to stand unattended without first stopping the engine, locking the ignition, removing the key from the ignition, effectively setting the brake thereon and, when standing downhill upon any grade, turning the front wheels to the closest curb or side of the street or highway and, when standing uphill upon any grade, turning the front wheels to the closest side of the street or highway if there is no curb or turning the front wheels away from the closest curb if there is a curb. The use or operation of a remote starter system in a vehicle with locked doors shall be sufficient to comply with the provision of this section requiring a person in charge of an unattended motor vehicle to stop such vehicle's engine. As used in this section, the phrase "remote starter system" means any device installed in a motor vehicle that allows the engine of such vehicle to be started by remote or radio control.

So it vaguely sounds like you could get a citation for letting your car run unattended in your driveway…and some people have.  Although it also looks like remote starts are okay.

The majority of us know it’s a bad idea to leave your car running while pumpin’ gas…and it’s understandably not a good idea to leave your car running in an establishment parking lot while you run inside for a few minutes…but evidently, in some areas it’s not wise to warm up your car in your own driveway (unless it’s by remote).

I guess it's to help prevent theft or something?  It just seems silly!

Is it a regulation that has become obsolete over the years or something that should remain in effect? It appears to happen in other states as well.

Fair? Unfair? Outdated? Necessary? I’m playing devil’s advocate…I’m looking for answers.  Let me know.

Remotely yours,
Behka