ZPD: Leaving your car running unattended, even on your property, is illegal

ZANESVILLE, Ohio- One of the ways people like to beat the cold temperature is to start their vehicle and let it warm up. But if you do that, you might be breaking the law without even realizing it.

It’s something most of us are guilty of doing, especially this time of the year. But did you know that leaving your car running unattended, even on your property, is illegal?

“Leaving your car running with the keys in it is illegal,” Zanesville Police Department, Captain Chris Phipps said. “We take the keys. We bring them down to the police station and we will hold them until the ownership of the vehicle can verified.”

Staying inside while your car defrosts and warms up might seem harmless, but criminals see an opportunity.

“If those keys are in the vehicle and its running there’s nobody attending it. Then it can be stolen very easily,” Captain Phipps said.

Captain Phipps explained the dangers of leaving your car running unattended.

“When you leave a car running an opportunist seeing it there will be able to steal it with no problem,” Phipps said. I just turn my car on when I get it in. I don’t start it up and leave it running just for the simple fact, I don’t want my car stolen.”

Because leaving your car on in Muskingum County is not an option, you might want to consider some of these tricks to help you speed up that morning routine. For example placing cardboard on your windshield the night before can help get rid of the snow a lot quicker, as well as placing socks on your windshield wipers can help prevent them from freezing.