Ignition off: Secretary for the Environment Edward Yau announces the Motor Vehicle Idling (Fixed Penalty) Bill will be tabled at the Legislative Council April 28.

A bill introducing a statutory requirement for drivers to switch off engines while vehicles are stationary will be tabled at the Legislative Council April 28.

The Motor Vehicle Idling (Fixed Penalty) Bill, to be gazetted April 16, will be applicable to all roads, including private roads and car parks.

Secretary for the Environment Edward Yau today said the issue of idling vehicles has been discussed for many years and he hoped lawmakers will further take on board the views of the community and forge a consensus during scrutiny of the bill.

"As shown from previous consultations, the Hong Kong community accepts and is willing to comply with the practice of switching off the engines of idling vehicles. In view of the operational needs of the transport trades, we have included various exemptions in the bill.

"The current proposal will strike a reasonable balance between the need to protect the public from nuisances caused by idling vehicles and the operational needs of drivers and the transport trades. We will continue listening to the views of all sectors during scrutiny of the bill."

More exemptions

After examining public views the Government proposes to further expand the scope of exemption. Major amendments to the bill include:

* providing a grace period of three-in-sixty minutes to drivers of all motor vehicles;

* expanding the scope of exemption at taxi stands from the first two taxis to the first five taxis;

* expanding the scope of exemption at green minibus stands from the first two green minibuses to the first two green minibuses of each route;

* expanding the scope of exemption 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.

The Government proposes to apply the prohibition against idling vehicles to all motor vehicles equipped with an internal combustion engine, including vehicles powered by petrol, diesel and liquefied petroleum gas, as well as hybrid vehicles.

Fixed penalty

The bill also provides that a driver who contravenes the prohibition against idling vehicles is liable to a fixed penalty of $320, which is the same as that for illegal parking.