Wow. Maryland must be a liberals wet dream. If I want to leave my car running while I go into the store then I'M the one taking the risk. Some liberal panty waist (should be waste) passed some law to make it illegal to put your own car at risk. Imagine that.
KC
Actually, it's illegal in Texas too. The title of the statute is "Leaving Keys Unattended in a Vehicle". There are numerous reasons for the law:
1. Almost half of all auto thefts occur this way. People don't want to get into a cold car in the morning in winter, or don't want their cars to get hot in the summer while they go into the gas station, so they leave them running. Some shitbag gets into the car and takes off with it.
2. Once it's stolen, it uses alot of police resources, which every taxpayer pays for.
3. Criminals use the stolen cars to commit other crimes.
4. When we (the police) try to stop them, it often turns into a high speed chase, putting the public at risk.
5. Insurance rates for Theft coverage are set by local Theft rates. If insurance companies have to pay out claims for these offenses, they pass the loss on to the consumer (ALL CONSUMERS), then raise rates for everyone based upon the local Theft rates.