A lawmaker said on Thursday a possible increment in illegal parking fines is "relatively mild".

Chan Siu-hung made the remarks on an RTHK radio programme after a source revealed that motorists might be fined HK$400 for illegal parking, up from the current HK$320.

It is believed that the cost of metered parking spaces could double to HK$4 for every 15 minutes, while the penalty for speeding and other traffic infringements could also cost 50 percent more.

Traffic fines have remained unchanged for more than three decades.

Chan, who also chairs the transport panel in the Legislative Council, pointed out that illegal parking fines in countries and places such as Singapore, London and Australia cost 10 times more than the SAR.

He said the possible increment of HK$80 is relatively mild.

"For so many years, the fine has remained at HK$320," Chan said.

"If it's increased to HK$400, as rumours suggest, that would be just a mild increment.

"If you compare that increase to the rise in inflation, or as a way to achieve fiscal balance for public services, an increment of HK$320 to HK$400 isn't welcome, but the rate is relatively mild."

The lawmaker also said that the absence of more effective deterrent measures for speeding and other traffic violations would affect safety for other road users and cause economic losses.

Speaking on the same show, Ho Chi-keung from the taxi division of the Motor Transport Workers General Union, questioned if the possible increment could be reduced due to the poor state of the economy.

He emphasised that drivers do not wish to park illegally but may be forced to because Hong Kong lacks parking spaces.

Ho hopes law enforcement workers can be more lenient, such as by waiting for a few minutes before issuing a ticket, if they know that drivers are using washrooms nearby.