Remote parking of vehicles gets the nod in Hong Kong

In a first for Hong Kong, drivers will be allowed to use smartphones or other devices to remotely park their vehicles from Saturday, said Secretary for Transport and Logistics Mable Chan.

In situations where parking spaces are narrow, drivers can now exit the vehicle and use remote parking, with the driver remaining close to the vehicle throughout the process, controlling and monitoring the parking. 

The SAR’s remote-control parking provision headlines a suite of transport regulatory changes, which will also take effect from Saturday.

These include mandatory over-height warning systems for specialized vehicles, unrestricted use of in-vehicle screens when parked, removal of expressway permits for electric vehicles, and bus height adjustments.

Writing in her blog, the transport chief said the eased rule on dashboard displays, allowing drivers to view any content from navigation, entertainment, or real-time data, was intended for drivers to utilize the vehicle’s function in safe conditions.

She said the various new regulations include the expansion of electric vehicle models approved for use on expressways.

By the end of 2024, 152 Chinese-made electric vehicle models have received approval from the Transport Department, with an additional 409 models from other regions, boasting a 100 percent success rate in applications. Five taxi fleets featuring multiple new pure electric vehicle models will also be introduced to the public next Monday.

Regarding child passenger safety, Chan said approximately half of the traffic accidents involving fatalities or injuries of children under 8 years old occur in private cars.

She said the child safety seat effectively protects young passengers in traffic accidents, significantly reducing the risk of death or serious injury. Understanding the time needed for car owners and parents to prepare, relevant legislation will only come into effect on November 1 this year, she added.