The government will take immediate steps aimed at reducing air pollution caused by idling motors, with the introduction of legislation penalizing drivers who needlessly leave their vehicles running at the roadside.

The government will present the Motor Vehicle Idling (Fixed Penalty) Bill to the Legislative Council (LegCo) on April 28, Secretary for the Environment Edward Yau Tang-wah said Thursday.

The bill provides that any driver who contravenes the prohibition against idling vehicles is liable to a fixed penalty of HK$320, the same as that for illegal parking. Traffic wardens will be the main enforcement agents.

"These motor vehicles cause air pollution, heat and noise nuisances to pedestrians and shops on both sides of the road. These nuisances are more acute during bad air pollution days and in densely populated areas," Yau said.

Yau added that the issue of idling vehicles has been discussed in the community for many years. He said he hoped that the LegCo would acknowledge the views of the community and forge a consensus during debate on the bill. "The bill is part of our overall strategies to tackle air pollution which is close to everybody's heart. We hope the bill can provide a platform to refine the legislation," Yau said.

The Environmental Protection Department conducted public consultations from November 2007 to March 2008. Although most respondents supported the proposal, representatives of the transport trades urged the administration to consider the needs of drivers and the trades when drafting the final proposal.

To address their concerns, the government plans to make amendments to affected businesses. One amendment will allow a grace period of three-in-sixty minutes for drivers of all motor vehicles. "We have taken into account the Canadian experience, whereby a three-minute grace period could be allowed when a car initially stops," Yau added.

Moreover, the government plans to expand the scope of exemptions on idling vehicles at taxi stands, from the present first two taxis to the first five taxis; at green minibus stands from the first two green minibuses to the first two green minibuses of each route; at red minibus stands from the first two red minibuses to the first two minibuses, a red minibus with at least one passenger on board and a red minibus which is immediately behind it; and exempting non-franchised buses with at least one passenger on board.

Exemptions will also be given to all motor vehicles in special circumstances such as traffic congestion and delays resulting from traffic collisions. The bill will not apply to occupational vehicles such as ice-cream vans. Electric vehicles are excluded as they are not powered by internal combustion engines and do not generate emissions.

A minibus driver surnamed Ng welcomed the proposal, saying it could reduce operating costs as well as help to protect the environment. "We could save roughly HK$10 per route if we stop the engine while waiting for passengers during non-peak hours," he noted.

However, Hong Kong Taxi & PLB Concern Group chairman Lai Ming-hung observed that it would be difficult to enforce the bill. He said taxis are more expensive than other forms of transport. The bill might reduce the number of passengers in summer because in-vehicle temperatures can rise up to 40 degrees, he said.

The bill will be published in the gazette today.

China Daily

(HK Edition 04/16/2010 page1)