Hong Kong motorists will face higher financial penalties starting on January 1, when new traffic fines for 19 types of offences take effect.
The targeted offences under the Fixed Penalty (Criminal Proceedings) Ordinance include illegal parking, for which the fine is set to rise by 25 per cent from HK$320 to HK$400 (US$41 to US$51).
This marks the first adjustment to those penalty levels in more than three decades.
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“The fixed penalties for illegal parking and many other traffic contraventions have remained unchanged for 31 years. Compared with other jurisdictions, Hong Kong’s current penalty levels are significantly lower, and their deterrent effect has gradually weakened due to inflation,” a government spokesman said on Monday.
The new penalty fines range from HK$480 to HK$1,500. At the lower end, HK$480 will be the new fixed penalty for minor offences such as driving up to 15km/h (9.3mph) over the speed limit or unlawfully entering a yellow box junction.
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At the top end of the new scale, HK$1,500 will be imposed for the most serious scheduled traffic contravention, driving more than 45km/h over the speed limit.