With winter well on its way, it's important to remember a sometimes forgotten law in New York State. The Ilion Police Department took to their Facebook page to remind folks not to leave their cars unattended while running.

Everyone has done it at some point. You've went out to the car, started it up and let the heat take over. Once the car starts to warm up, you go back inside and continue to get ready for the day. This not only puts your vehicle at risk of being stolen, but it is also illegal.

According to the Ilion Police on Facebook the NYS Vehicle and Traffic Law is as follows,

S 1210. Unattended motor vehicle. (a) 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 vehicle, and effectively setting the brake thereon and, when standing upon any grade, turning the front wheels to the curb or side of the highway, provided, however, the provision for removing the key from the vehicle shall not require the removal of keys hidden from sight about the vehicle for convenience or emergency.

The Ilion Police Department warns that vehicle larcenies have and continue to occur as a result of this type of situation. They prefer to raise awareness of the law instead of issuing traffic citations.

Be sure to always make sure you vehicles is locked and secure. If you have an automatic car-starter that is fine, use it. If you don't, you may just want to get your day started a little bit earlier. Don't get a ticket just because it's winter in Central New York.

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