The Legislative Council has passed a proposal to raise traffic violation fines, increasing the fixed penalty for illegal parking from HK$320 to HK$400 and raising fines for speeding and other violations by 50 percent, effective January 1 next year.
The proposal garnered majority support from lawmakers, with a vote of 77 in favor, four against, and four abstentions.
Those voting against included Frankie Yick Chi-ming, Peter Shiu Ka-fai, Michael Lee Chun-keung and Doreen Kong Yuk-foon, who expressed concerns about the inadequate number of parking spaces.
Yick highlighted a troubling ratio of 0.66 -- only 66 parking spaces are available for every 100 commercial vehicles -- stressing that inadequate parking space has been a long-standing concern in the transportation industry.
Owing to the inadequate parking space, Yick noted some drivers have been pressured to change careers due to the stress of potential penalties, emphasizing it is unfair for the public to accept the new fines without increasing the parking spaces.
Lawmaker Chau Siu-chung echoed Yick's concerns, describing professional drivers as trapped in a game of "Russian roulette," relying solely on luck to find parking.
He also criticized the timing of the fine increase as unconvincing, given the ongoing parking issues in the city.
Among the supporters, Johnny Ng Kit-chong emphasized the need for adjusting fixed fines, which have not changed for years, but urged the government to improve traffic infrastructure and parking availability concurrently.
Meanwhile, lawmaker Michael Tien Puk-sun, who also supported the increase in fines, recommended the use of artificial intelligence technology to assist in enforcement, establishing scheduled loading and unloading areas, and expanding parking in commercial areas.
She reported that a total of 15,000 new parking spaces have been added over the past three years, anticipating another 12,000 in the next two years.
Highlighting a future focus on increasing commercial vehicle parking spaces, Chan proposed eight measures, including nighttime roadside parking for commercial vehicles and designated loading areas at public housing estates.
