New York Bill Would Pay Citizens For Idling Car Video

As if the government isn't making enough money off fines and taxes, New York City might get everyday people in on ticketing each other.

According to the New York Post, two New York lawmakers are trying to pass a bill that would pay people for submitting video footage of idling vehicles that leads to a fine.

New York City has had their anti-idling law since 1971, which limits a car to run for only three minutes without moving. The law, likely created with the environment in mind, apparently hasn't been strictly enforced in the past.

The fines for violating the anti-idling law range between $350 and $1,500, with a warning for first time offenders. That means you can make hundreds, or even thousands of dollars with this proposed bill, which would pay the cameraman up to 50% of the ticket.

If you want to make a living sending videos of cars sitting around, you would need to complete a class first. The Department of Environmental Protection will offer a class five days a year to become an official tattle-tail, so not just anyone can make money off this bill.

I'm all for helping the environment, but this seems a little silly to me.

Not only will this start fights over privacy, but I can see it raising even more hostility toward the government with their fines and tickets.

I get angry enough when a parking ticket shows up on my windshield, never mind if I found out my ticket was from some bozo with his iPhone. Who needs a job when you can make a couple hundred dollars off a three minute video?  Sounds crazy, right?

There just has to be a better way to get people to be environmentally conscious.

(Contributions made by Jon Faria, Fun Morning Show Staff)