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Verify: Answering your questions about California's idle car law

Three of the most common questions were: How long has this law been in effect? Does this law include parking lots like 7-11? Does this law also apply to police?

Sacramento, Calif. — After news surfaced that a Sacramento man was arrested after leaving his car idling outside a 7-Eleven in Sacramento, many people were surprised by the almost century-old law.

Many ABC10 viewers wrote in on Facebook and called our newsroom with questions and concerns.

Three of the most common questions were: How long has this law been in effect? Does this law include parking lots like 7-Eleven? Does this law also apply to police?

ABC10 researchers decided to verify those three questions by looking at the law, talking to a lawyer and researching the topic.

Q: How long has this law been in effect?

On Facebook, Kathe Hunter said, "I've been hearing in California it is a fine to leave car idling! Must be a new law?"

Turns out, the law actually dates back to the 1920's, according to the Vehicle Code Text and Sacramento Lawyer Mark Reichel.

"It's not very well know and understood," he said.

Q: Does this law include parking lots like 7-Eleven?

The California's law text only mentions highways so people thought parking lots weren't included in the law.

Maddi Stark asked on Facebook, "If this law states you cannot leave your car idling unattended on public roads, how did this apply to a parking lot which are considered private property?"

In Sacramento City Limits, a person can't leave a car idle and unattended in a public place, a new or used car lot, or in a private or public parking lot.

That's according to City Code 10-36-090.

Q: Does this law also apply to police?

Aimee Mckinney commented on Facebook, "The police do it all the time."

According to California Vehicle Codes, Division 11- Rules of the Road, Chapter 1, article 2, the driver of an authorized emergency vehicle is exempt from this law if the vehicle is being driven to an emergency or being used to immediately pursue a suspect or is responding to a fire alarm.

There are a couple other unanswered questions ABC10 is waiting to hear back on, including: Was it against protocol for the officer, in this case, to reach inside Williams' car and does this law have any exceptions?

ABC10 has asked and is waiting for a response.

Follow the conversation on Facebook with Madison Wade.

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