Talk of the town : "Beef jerky" will go digital
【明報專訊】In Hong Kong, parking regulations are enforced to ensure smooth traffic flow and public safety. Drivers who park illegally in restricted areas will potentially receive a fixed penalty ticket. The current practice by the police requires that the tickets be fixed on the vehicle. However, the government has proposed an amendment to allow the police to issue electronic tickets for traffic offences and violations.
The proposed amendment requires drivers and driving license holders to provide their email addresses or phone numbers to the Transport Department. Police officers can use their smartphone application to take photos of accidents, record information of violators or vehicles, or extract data from the driver's licence to issue electronic tickets. The "beef jerky" will thus be replaced by an "online penalty ticket", which will be uploaded to a website for the drivers to view and pay the penalty. This can help the government save administrative costs.
Project PROVE
Gone are the days when drivers who behaved illegally would only get caught if a police officer was nearby. The Hong Kong Police Force launched "Project PROVE - Public Reporting Offences with Video Evidence" in 2022, which is a WeChat mini-programme for online reporting of traffic offences. The public can report non-emergency
traffic offences, such as dangerous driving, careless driving, and violations of traffic signals, signs, and road markings by uploading video clips to "Project PROVE". Video and photo evidence improves enforcement efficiency, acting as a deterrent to irresponsible behaviour and
promoting road safety.
■Game
What does the sign below mean?
(See the picture C)
Ask a family member who has a driving licence or Google it!
(Answer on next text)
■Grammar Booster
Gone are the days
"Gone are the days" is a phrase which describes the passing of a certain period of time or event in the past that is no longer present or relevant.
E.g. Gone are the days when I had a carefree childhood.
■Glossary
enforce (v) 執行
fix (v) 固定
violation (n) 違反
deterrent (n) 阻嚇力
(Criticisms on this publication, if any, are aimed at pointing out the errors or defects of certain systems or policies with a view of rectifying or eradicating such errors or defects, as well as prompting improvement or remedy for them via lawful means. There is absolutely no intention of inciting hatred, discontent or hostility towards the government or other classes of the community.)
[Smarties' Power English 第397期]