Car ownership

Dear Sir/Madam,

I am writing to air my opinion on the recent hot topic - whether  car ownership should be restricted in Hong Kong.

Obviously, people oppose the number of private cars in order to solve  or eliminate the traffic problem such as daily traffic snarl-ups and accidents. However, is this proposal effective in dealing with the traffic problems in Hong Kong?

Restricting car ownership is not a feasible  means of coping with the traffic troubles. Undoubtedly the soaring number of private cars does exacerbate the traffic situation in Hong Kong. Nevertheless, are private cars the main opponent against the smooth flow of traffic?

Most roads, highways and tunnels were built in the past few decades. At that time, the department responsible for establishing the road network could have been realized that Hong Kong would be caught in a traffic dilemma. Thus, wouldn't it be more ideal for the government to review the present poor road network rather than restrict the car ownership? Would an improved road network solve the traffic difficulties more properly and probably?

In fact, driving to work is inevitable.   According to some data released from the Transport Department, most car owners live in the New Territories or some areas remote from the center of Hong Kong. How heartless and merciless it would be for some adults together with their children and the elders to travel from Yuen Long to Central by public transport! Even those who live in the mid levels always complain that they have to wait at least half an hour for a taxi. It is unimaginably terrible, if not impossible, to be living in remote areas without a private car!

In addition, restriction of car ownership will deal a severe blow to the economy. The government will discourage car ownership by means of increasing the license fee, first registration fee or the entrance tax and so on. As a result, the already stable single-digit inflation rate will certainly climb again. Not only will this affect the car owners but also common civilians. The undesirable and yet inevitable consequence is the general decline  of the living standard. Is it worthwhile for us all to bear this objectionable and inappreciable proposal?

Moreover, it always goes that to be socially recognized is the most vital element in driving us to work hard. In such a materialistic city like Hong Kong, owning a car is a sign of social status. Once car ownership is restricted, many hard-working people may be less enthusiastic in their work because they find it much harder to achieve their dream - owning a car.

All in all, there are many better ways to solve traffic problems other than restricting car ownership. The government should consider seriously the proposal before it carries out car ownership restriction.

Yours faithfully,

L.K. Chan