XN000022-1978-04-02 — Page 3

SUNDAY, APRIL 2, 1978

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CLAMP DOWN ON SMOKY VEHICLES

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THERE HAS BEEN A SUBSTANTIAL INCREASE IN THE NUMBER OF PROSECUTIONS AGAINST VEHICLES EMITTING EXCESSIVE EXHAUST SMOKE LAST YEAR SINCE STRICTER CONTROL ON SUCH VEHICLES WAS INTRODUCED IN MARCH 1977.

STATISTICS RELEASED BY THE POLICE SHOWED THAT A TOTAL OF 5,115 VEHICLE OWNERS WERE PROSECUTED IN 1977 AS COMPARED WITH ONLY 297 IN 1976.

ACCORDING TO TRAFFIC POLICE STAFF OFFICER, MR. A.J. FERRIGE, THE NUMBER OF PROSECUTIONS HAS INCREASED TREMENDOUSLY AFTER. THE POLICE HAVE PUT INTO USE THREE SMOKE METERS. IT HAS NOW, BEEN DECIDED TO BUY TWO MORE METERS TO HELP THE POLICE CARRY QUT THEIR DUTIES.

SPECIAL TEAMS OF POLICEMEN HAVE BEEN SET UP TO CARRY OUT TESTS ON SMOKY VEHICLES, THEY OPERATE AT VARIOUS ROADSIDE INSPECTION POINTS IN HONG KONG, KOWLOON AND THE NEW TERRITORIES.

ANY VEHICLE FOUND EMITTING EXHAUST SMOKE HIGHER THAN THE PERMITTED LIMIT, WHICH IS 65 UNITS ON THE HARTRIDGE SMOKE METER, WILL BE ISSUED WITH A SUMMONS.

LAST YEAR, 6,049 VEHICLES WERE FLAGGED DOWN BY THE POLICE FOR TESTS.

THE INSPECTION ON VEHICLES WITH SMOKY EXHAUSTS IS AIMED AT SAFEGUARDING PUBLIC HEALTH AS PEOPLE EXPOSED TO EXHAUST FUMES FOR A PROLONGED TIME MAY SUFFER FROM COUGHING AND SMARTING EYES. +MOREOVER, EXCESSIVE EXHAUST SMOKE CAN BE DANGEROUS IF IT OBSCURES THE DRIVERS' VISION,+ MR. FERRIGE, SAID.

HE ALSO REMINDED CAR OWNERS THAT VEHICLES EMITTING EXCESSIVE FUMES WILL COST THEM MORE MONEY BECAUSE IT MEANS INCOMPLETE FUEL COMBUSTION. IT IS THEREFORE CHEAPER TO KEEP VEHICLES IN GOOD REPAIR.

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