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With the arrival of summer, the Environmental Protection Department (EPD) has stepped up its publicity and enforcement activities on the Motor Vehicle Idling (Fixed Penalty) Ordinance (the Ordinance). Since the implementation of the Ordinance, Environmental Protection Inspectors and Traffic Wardens have conducted about 180 publicity-cum-enforcement operations, covering various black spots where idling engines are common.
The EPD has reminded drivers to switch off the idling engines of stationary vehicles by distributing leaflets on the streets and staging outdoor roving exhibitions. Environmental Protection Inspectors and Traffic Wardens have also strengthened their enforcement operations at different locations.
"Since the implementation of the Ordinance, apart from the routine patrol duty of the Traffic Wardens, about 180 publicity-cum-enforcement operations have been conducted at various black spots where idling engines are common. During these activities law enforcement staff would take action against drivers contravening the law and drivers had been co-operative. No Fixed Penalty Notices have been issued so far," said the Assistant Director (Air Policy) of Environmental Protection, Mr Mok Wai-chuen, following a publicity-cum-enforcement operation conducted in Tsim Sha Tsui this (June 4) morning by Environmental Protection Inspectors and Traffic Wardens.
Mr Mok called on drivers to adopt green driving habits by switching off their idling engines to help reduce environmental nuisance and improve roadside air quality.
"We will continue our enforcement and publicity efforts to urge drivers to comply with the idling engine ban," Mr Mok said.
The Ordinance, which came into effect on December 15, 2011, prohibits a driver from idling a vehicle engine for more than three minutes in any 60-minute period. Law enforcement staff, including Environmental Protection Inspectors and Traffic Wardens, will issue a Penalty Notice to drivers contravening the law, and a fine of $320 will be imposed. This law is in force all year round on all roads including private roads and car parks.
As part of promotional and educational efforts, the EPD launched a series of outdoor roving exhibitions late last month. Details of the exhibitions, to be staged in June and July, are listed below.
Date Venue Time
----- ------ -----
June 10 Tsim Sha Tsui Urban noon to 8pm
to 13 Council Centenary
Garden
June 16 Lee Garden Road 1.30pm to
and 17 Pedestrian Precinct, 9.30pm
Causeway Bay
June 21 Junction of Tuen Shun noon to 8pm
to 24 Street and Tuen Hop
Street, Tuen Mun
June 30 Junction of Argyle Street noon to 8pm
to July 3 and Yim Po Fong Street,
Mong Kok
July 7 Lee Garden Road 1.30pm to
and 8 Pedestrian Precinct, 9.30pm
Causeway Bay
Members of the public are cordially invited to visit the roving exhibitions. For more details of the Ordinance please visit the EPD's website (www.epd.gov.hk/epd/english/environmentinhk/air/prob_solutions/idling_prohibition.html), call the enquiry hotline 2838 3111 or email idlingenq@epd.gov.hk .
Ends/Monday, June 4, 2012
Issued at HKT 13:56
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