The government yesterday began a 5-month public consultation session to solicit views on its legislation proposal to impose a fixed penalty of HK$320 on idling vehicles with running engines.

The idling engine ban aims to cut roadside pollution in a city with the highest road traffic density in the world, the government said.

The legislation is expected to come into force in mid-2009 but the government will allow a 3-month transitional period after it is enacted.

Exemptions will be granted for a specified category of vehicles, such as the first two cabs at a taxi stand and emergency vehicles like ambulance.

The ban will be enforced by traffic wardens and staff of the Environmental Protection Department.

Secretary for Environment Edward Yau Tang-wah told a press briefing that vehicle emission is the major source of street-level air pollution.

"The ban aims to reduce emissions caused by idling vehicles and improve air quality," he said.

The government consulted the District Councils and the transport sector on a similar proposal in 2000-01 but no consensus came out of it, he told reporters.

The government subsequently launched public education programs to enhance public awareness of this problem.

"But public education alone is not enough to change drivers' behavior (to switch off the engines). Legislation will be an effective way to build a community consensus," Yau said.

There has been a persisting public call for such a ban as evidenced by the fact that the number of complaints against idling vehicles had been on the rise from 2002 to 2006, he said.

According to the consultation paper, 501 complaints were lodged in 2006, up from 238 in 2002.

Yau said there would be no grace period for idling engines for this would make law enforcement difficult.

For example it would be difficult to determine how long an engine has been idling.

The ban will also apply in summer because running engines will only create heat and hassle the pedestrians, he said.

While the ban might be inconvenient for drivers, he said it could protect both drivers and passers-by against air pollution.

"For the scheme to succeed we need everyone to take a step forward and contribute to a better roadside air quality and blue sky."

He said the government would discuss details of law enforcement with the transport sector during the consultation period.

A government source said although emissions from idling vehicles did not contribute significantly to the quantity of pollutants, they caused heat and noise nuisance to nearby shops and pedestrians.

"The increasing number of complaints against idling vehicles in recent years is an indication of public readiness for legislation," the source said.

(HK Edition 11/03/2007 page3)