The Smog Squad of Hong Kong Has Truckers on the Run
Eyes Peeled for Naughty Tailpipes, Certified ‘Spotters’ Rat Out Polluters
Jonathan Cheng
Wall Street Journal
Hong Kong’s 5,000-plus team of smoky vehicle spotters undergo rigorous training to help rid the roads of trucks, buses and delivery vans with tailpipe smoke exceeding government limits. The program was put together by the EPA in 1988.
Spotting a smoky vehicle is a tricky business involving gauging smoke density and noting down circumstances as well as details about the vehicle such as plate number, vehicle class and body number. Spotters have to go through hours of training in order to become qualified.
Spotter reported suspects are hauled into designated inspection centers for a spin on a modified treadmill. If tailpipe smoke exceeds government limits, owners lose their vehicle license and must upgrade their vehicles—or junk them. Should the owner fail to show up, their vehicle license is yanked.
With local sources such as vehicles influencing Hong Kong’s air quality 53% of the time and air quality continually on the decline, this program is vital. So far this year spotters have gotten 1,945 vehicles tested, wherein 1/3 of those flunked.
To read the full article, go here.
To watch WSJ’s video report on this unique Smoky Vehicle Spotter, featuring CAN team’s Joanne Ooi, go here.
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