This Man Earns More Than $100,000 Reporting NYC's Most Frustrating Traffic Violations | Carscoops

      Trucks and non-city buses are prohibited from idling and parking, and one individual is profiting from those who violate this rule.

       June 19, 2025, at 15:50

      

      

      

      

       by Stephen Rivers

      

      New York City has implemented a ban on non-city buses and trucks that idle on the streets. Residents can report these violations, and one individual claims he has earned a six-figure income from it. Some have encountered hostility from drivers who disregard the idling laws.

      New York City has adopted a distinctive method to reduce vehicle emissions: it relies on its citizens to monitor the situation. With approximately 700,000 vehicles clogging its streets daily, how does a city of this scale manage to oversee it all? By empowering residents to report idling infractions and share in a portion of the fines. In fact, one individual states that he is making six figures from this initiative, which has certainly attracted attention.

      The Mechanics of the Idling Law

      Here's how it operates. Any citizen who observes a vehicle idling for over three minutes can provide evidence and receive a percentage of the fine. The average penalty ranges from $350 to $600, and those who submit evidence can receive 25% of the total fine amount. A person known as 'Streeter' reports that it's so profitable he has earned over $100,000 in a year.

      “Shortly after 6, I’m out on my bike, searching for idling trucks,” Streeter shared with CBS News. “I spend about 6, 7, 8, or 9 hours a day biking around.”

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      It is crucial to clarify that this pertains not to vehicles that idle for a minute or two before moving on. The law and associated fines apply solely to non-city buses and trucks. Additionally, fines are only issued if someone documents the vehicle idling for a minimum of three minutes. If a bus is actively loading or unloading passengers, it is exempt from fines. However, if it idles after those processes, the driver may receive a ticket.

      Interestingly, this concept is not entirely new; Streeter has just taken it to a professional level. For at least six years, New Yorkers have been reporting substantial earnings through this system. In the past, Vice News created a video titled “How To Get Rich Reporting On Idling Vehicles In NYC.”

      Most of the participants had personal experiences regarding the detrimental effects of poor air quality. One individual pointed out that wars are fought over oil and that idling is a waste of that valuable resource.

      The Downsides: It’s Not Just Easy Money

      However, it's not all straightforward and profitable in this scenario. Some so-called “clean-air vigilantes” have faced threats. “I’ve been chased, I’ve been swung at, pushed…” recounted one person involved in this practice.

      Truck drivers, for their part, are not pleased with the system. Zach Miller, a lobbyist for the Trucking Association of New York, noted that many drivers feel unfairly targeted. “They perceive it as a bounty hunter system,” he told CBS News.

      Is this an instance of government overreach? Or is it a smart application of modern technology? Undoubtedly, it has engaged the community. Share your thoughts in the comments below.