SMOKY VEHICLE SPOTTING

I am now waiting at the EMSD in Kowloon Bay to begin smoky vehicle spotter training. A few weeks ago, I requested a meeting with the EPD to discuss WHY it takes 4 hours to train a smoky vehicle spotter.

Since beginning my work at CAN, it has become obvious that the NUMBER ONE thing people want to do when they ask, "How can I get involved?", is report vehicles with filthy tailpipe emissions. Thus, in an effort to get more people involved with the city's air pollution clean-up, it made sense to understand and, even, attempt to streamline the training process with the EPD.

So, today, after a very constructive discussion with the EPD, I am here to undergo training. And, then, write a detailed report with recommendations on HOW the training process can be put online and shortened, so more members of the public will be motivated to enter the program and become registered spotters. To date, there are approximately 5000 registered spotters in HK, but it is important to remember that the govt has conducted this program for 20 years.

Smoky vehicle spotting is also a good way to mobilize public attention on the upcoming introduction of the long-awaited anti-idling ordinance. According to the EPD, they will introduce the bill to Legco before the end of the year. The EPD has asked us to mobilize public support for this bill. Although idling is NOT the same as vehicle spotting, the two offending behavīors are transgressions or negligence by INDIVIDUAL vehicles, resulting in harm to the public. Thus, even if smoky vehicles are not the same as engine idlers, they are unified under the rubric of "Drivers [or companies] who don't give a sh----"

More later -- after I have completed training and, hopefully, passed the test....

If you care about Hong Kong, please WATCH this, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yE_QaOjOHzw

What I REALLY think, http://cleanairnetwork.blogspot.com/

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Joanne Ooi

CEO

Clean Air Network

Shui On Centre, 6-8 Harbour Road

Room 1008, Wanchai, Hong Kong

Telephone 3971 0106