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Following is the transcript (English portion) of a media session given by the Secretary for the Environment, Mr Edward Yau, on the Motor Vehicle Idling (Fixed Penalty) Bill at Central Government Offices today (April 15):
Secretary for the Environment: We will table a new piece of legislation regarding the stopping of idling engines to LegCo by the end of this month. The purpose of this bill is, of course, to tackle the nuisance created by idling engines. We have in the past one and a half years conducted extensive consultation on this proposal. We want to take this proposal forward in the form of a bill through which we can gather further consensus in having this new legislation in place so as to reduce the air pollution caused by idling engines as well as the heat island effect that these engines have been bringing to our city's environment. The Bill is part of our overall strategy in tackling air pollution, which is close to everybody's heart. So we are hoping that this Bill, through the Bills Committee in LegCo, could provide a platform for us to further discuss and perhaps further refine this piece of legislation with a view to bringing it to reality after extensive consultation. Of course, we will continue to listen to views that might be expressed by different sectors of the community, including the transport sector. We believe that this Bill will be welcomed and supported by people from all walks of life.
Reporter: What is the problem caused by these idling engines? What is the level of exemption for certain type of vehicles, for example, trucks and others?
Secretary for the Environment: The objective of this Bill is clearly to take a step forward so that drivers or car users can help us reduce the nuisance caused by idling engines as we all know cars mainly stop by the side of the road and there is no point for them to have their engines switched on all the time. So clearly, stopping the engine while the car is idle is something that I think the public is all supporting. We also recognise that in the initial introduction of this new policy, there might be concern from certain sectors, for instance, certain transport sectors. So there are some reasonable exemptions we are going to introduce. For instance, for a certain number of taxis and public light buses waiting in the queue, of course, we will give them certain exemptions. We have also taken into account the Canadian experience whereby a three-minute grace period could be allowed when cars initially stop while waiting. We hope the package, together with further consultation with the Bills Committee in LegCo, could bring this policy forward so that we can all take one big step forward in tackling air pollution.
Reporter: How large is the fine?
Secretary for the Environment: That will be a $320 fixed penalty ticket.
Reporter: So less than the penalty for smoking?
Secretary for the Environment: It is in line with other sorts of traffic offences.
(Please also refer to the Chinese portion of the transcript.)
Ends/Thursday, April 15, 2010
Issued at HKT 18:03
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