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The Under Secretary for the Environment, Dr Kitty Poon, toured a roving exhibition on the Motor Vehicle Idling (Fixed Penalty) Ordinance in Tsuen Wan today (November 10) and reminded drivers that they must switch off idling engines when the Ordinance comes into operation.
"The new law, which will take effect on December 15, prohibits drivers from leaving their vehicle engines idling for more than three minutes in any 60-minute period. This will reduce the air pollution, heat and noise caused by motor vehicles with idling engines," Dr Poon said.
She called on motorists to develop green driving habits so as to protect public health and improve air quality. Enforcement staff may issue a Penalty Notice to drivers contravening the prohibition on idling engines, who would then be required to pay a penalty of $320.
The Environmental Protection Department (EPD) is holding an exhibition at Discovery Park to enhance public understanding of the major provisions of the Ordinance. The exhibition aims to raise public awareness and understanding of the new law so as to promote a green driving habit.
Using display panels and pamphlets, the exhibition highlights the environmental and health impacts of idling engines and the advantages of switching them off. To make the exhibition more interesting, there will be interactive multi-media games, a game booth and screening of a TV public announcement.
Members of the public are cordially invited to visit the roving exhibitions, which will be held across Hong Kong from November to January and open from noon to 8pm.
Details of the exhibitions in November are listed below. The exhibitions will move to other venues afterwards.
Date Venue
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November 10 to 13 Main Street Area (B),
Discovery Park, Tsuen Wan
November 17 to 20 Area A, Ground Floor,
Park Central, Tseung Kwan O
Further details on the Ordinance are available on the EPD website at www.epd.gov.hk/epd/english/environmentinhk/air/prob_solutions/idling_prohibition.html.
Ends/Thursday, November 10, 2011
Issued at HKT 17:05
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