Those radical NY greenies

AMonger

Veteran Expediter
Had a CV driver tell me he got nailed for idling in NY a couple days ago. I didn't think they were doing that for CVs or passenger cars. Anybody else get nailed for idling in NY (not ST or TTs, we know about that) and is NY a state that has a pet exemption?
 

Brisco

Expert Expediter
A while back I took this little 26ftr tag trailer to Buffalo. The RV dealer I was delivering to operated out of this little industrial/warehouse type of area. I made this delivery in the middle of November, I remember this because after this delivery was made I was going to head back to Indiana, pick a trailer heading home to Texas, and then take the next 2-3 months off.

Anyways, it was cold that night before, down to like 35 if I remember. Got over to that warehouse area around 7:30AM or so. Dealer wasn't there yet. I'm sitting there in a 1 ton pick-up truck idling to keep warm. was sitting there for about 10 minutes when a Buffalo cop drove by, made a u-turn, and came up to my truck. Asked why I was sitting there, (Texas Plates) showed him my BOL for the trailer and was just waiting for that Dealer to show up. He said OK, but chewed my butt out for "idling" my truck there outside that warehouse. Said if he caught me just idling my truck his next time by that he'd issue me a $375 ticket.

Sat there for about 20-30 minutes and truck started getting cold again. Started truck up, turned heater on. Noticed same cop coming up the street. Turned truck off before he got any closer. He went around corner, I turned truck back on. Again, 5 minutes later, here he comes around corner again. Turned truck off again. This went on until 9:15 or so.

We played the game for over an hour and half. During that time I might have heard 7 gunshots off in the distance, saw the little store across the street get robbed twice, witnessed a van drive up next to this lady standing at the bus stop, heard a loud scream and next thing I know she wasn't standing there any longer, but yet the bus never came by to pick her up, so on, so on so on. But this Buffalo Cop did not give a hoot about all this crime going on within his beat, he was fixated on catching this Texas boy "IDLING" his truck.

(Not a true story above, but you get what I'm getting at!! :mad: )
 

AMonger

Veteran Expediter
A while back I took this little 26ftr tag trailer to Buffalo. The RV dealer I was delivering to operated out of this little industrial/warehouse type of area. I made this delivery in the middle of November, I remember this because after this delivery was made I was going to head back to Indiana, pick a trailer heading home to Texas, and then take the next 2-3 months off.

Anyways, it was cold that night before, down to like 35 if I remember. Got over to that warehouse area around 7:30AM or so. Dealer wasn't there yet. I'm sitting there in a 1 ton pick-up truck idling to keep warm. was sitting there for about 10 minutes when a Buffalo cop drove by, made a u-turn, and came up to my truck. Asked why I was sitting there, (Texas Plates) showed him my BOL for the trailer and was just waiting for that Dealer to show up. He said OK, but chewed my butt out for "idling" my truck there outside that warehouse. Said if he caught me just idling my truck his next time by that he'd issue me a $375 ticket.

Sat there for about 20-30 minutes and truck started getting cold again. Started truck up, turned heater on. Noticed same cop coming up the street. Turned truck off before he got any closer. He went around corner, I turned truck back on. Again, 5 minutes later, here he comes around corner again. Turned truck off again. This went on until 9:15 or so.

We played the game for over an hour and half. During that time I might have heard 7 gunshots off in the distance, saw the little store across the street get robbed twice, witnessed a van drive up next to this lady standing at the bus stop, heard a loud scream and next thing I know she wasn't standing there any longer, but yet the bus never came by to pick her up, so on, so on so on. But this Buffalo Cop did not give a hoot about all this crime going on within his beat, he was fixated on catching this Texas boy "IDLING" his truck.

(Not a true story above, but you get what I'm getting at!! :mad: )

I'm guessing the first part of it is true.
 

Brisco

Expert Expediter
I'm guessing the first part of it is true.

???

Oh......OK!

Yes, I guess I meant to say the last "paragraph" was not a true story. I'm an idiot. :D

I heard it from another driver that was driving a 1 ton diesel pick-up also who said he was hassled over his "idling" too. Think it's a NY state ordinance. His hassling came on a day when he had to shovel 2 feet of snow off his truck outside the Motel he was staying at. He was shoveling the snow off as he was trying to get his diesel p/u truck warmed up so he could hit the road. Said something like the Officer told him to shovel the snow off first, then get in the truck, start it, and warm it up as he was going down the road.

I understand the push to stop big trucks (even our 1 ton diesels) from idling for hours and hours, but to hassle us when we're trying to stay warm for a short time(as I was waiting that day), or to get warm, is just stupid. Know what I mean.
 

CharlesD

Expert Expediter
I spend a lot of time in and out of New York and I have yet to be bothered. My sprinter idles pretty quietly, so maybe that has something to do with it.
 

Brisco

Expert Expediter
Yep, it's a New York "State" law, of which we already knew about. But we did not know that it applies to us little guys too.

Heavy-Duty Vehicle Idling Laws - NYS Dept. of Environmental Conservation

This Part shall apply to all on-road heavy duty vehicles propelled by diesel fueled and non-diesel fueled engines excluding marine vessels. Heavy Duty vehicle means a vehicle that has a GVWR exceeding 8,500 pounds and is designed primarily for transporting persons or properties

Subpart 217-3: Idling Prohibition For Heavy Duty Vehicles - NYS Dept. of Environmental Conservation

My Dodge Cummins Diesel 1 Ton Duallys have a GVWR of 11,500 (2WD). Most of you guys with your Diesel vans are probably over 8500 GVWR also. So yeah, even us little guys are not allowed to idle in NY either.
 

Turtle

Administrator
Staff member
Retired Expediter
When NY's anti-idling law first came out, and why it's still called Idling Prohibition for Heavy Duty Vehicles, it applied only to 10,001 pound vehicles. But it wasn't but a few months before they changed it to 8500 GVWR. It was almost like they did it specifically to encompass Sprinters, which come in at 8550 GVWR.

I've spent a lot of time up there, too, and excessive idling at a Rest Area on the Thruway might draw some attention, but I've never had (or seen) a problem at a truck stop.
 

AMonger

Veteran Expediter
I've spent a lot of time up there, too, and excessive idling at a Rest Area on the Thruway might draw some attention, but I've never had (or seen) a problem at a truck stop.

Reminds me of Arizona. One time I was there and it was well over 100, like 110 or so. Every truck in the lot had their AC going. Had to. I kept thinking that the first time a driver dies after baking in his truck because of the no-idle law, some family was going to own Arizona. I kept waiting for the law to come in and look for idling trucks, but I guess not even they're that evil.
 

OntarioVanMan

Retired Expediter
Owner/Operator
I thought these laws had ambient temps?

Just answered my own question


Exceptions are when your vehicle is:

* Stuck in traffic
* Idling for maintenance purposes
* Powering an auxiliary function or apparatus such as a concrete tumbler
* Involved in an emergency situation
* A diesel fueled truck operating in an ambient air temperature below 25°F for more than 2 hours

AND there is no way an officer can tell when you the 5 minute cycle beyond a reasonable doubt....so tell him to scram...you have 3 minutes left

and another way out...

(b) Regulations adopted by Federal, State or local agencies having jurisdiction require the maintenance of a specific temperature for passenger comfort. The idling time specified in section 217-3.2 of this Subpart may be increased, but only to the extent necessary to comply with such regulations.
 
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Turtle

Administrator
Staff member
Retired Expediter
I figure that idling to recharge batteries is the same as powering an auxiliary function.
 

CharlesD

Expert Expediter
I figure that idling to recharge batteries is the same as powering an auxiliary function.

And when I'm sleeping, I'm recharging my batteries, so I figure that counts too. You have to be comfortable. I run in New York a lot, more than most expediters, and I've never had a problem. I sleep at Wal Mart a lot out on Long Island and nobody has ever bothered me there.
 

Jefferson3000

Expert Expediter
Reminds me of Arizona. One time I was there and it was well over 100, like 110 or so. Every truck in the lot had their AC going. Had to. I kept thinking that the first time a driver dies after baking in his truck because of the no-idle law, some family was going to own Arizona. I kept waiting for the law to come in and look for idling trucks, but I guess not even they're that evil.

AZ isn't that dumb. Obviously CA and NY are. They use these "Greenhouse" laws for income, and yet CA is STILL bankrupt.
 

OntarioVanMan

Retired Expediter
Owner/Operator
ya see..this is where that pet comes in from the other thread...you can't abuse an animal but you can abuse a human
 

CharlesD

Expert Expediter
I'm seeing a business opportunity here. You open up a place near the truck stops in these states and you keep a large stock of hamsters, gerbils, and other small furry critters and truckers can rent one for a day or two to keep in the truck so they can idle.
 
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