Toronto is launching new traffic to address a variety of factors affecting the poor stagnation in and around the city as major events are expected to return this summer.
The “Keep Moving in Toronto” traffic campaign officially kicks off on Thursday and will run through Thursday, June 30.
The initiative includes two key components: efforts to implement offenses that negatively affect the flow of traffic and the return of regular parking measures at peak hours.
“Traffic is coming back, and that means imposing rush hour measures to come back to help Toronto move. This, of course, is a decision and an operational decision that the police will make on how and when to apply the law. But in this case, I am very pleased that they will resume peak hours, “Mayor John Torrey told a news conference Friday morning.
Over the next week, specialized patrols will focus their efforts on improving traffic flow and tackling congestion factors, including the blocking of vehicles at intersections and compliance with traffic signals.
Vehicles caught blocking intersections can be fined $ 125.
“Police officers across the city will also step up enforcement efforts designed to address the root causes of the most serious clashes in our city: speeding, aggressive driving and distracted driving. So far this year, 23 people have been killed in clashes on Toronto’s roads, including 15 pedestrians, “said traffic superintendent Scott Baptist.
On Monday, police will resume their regular approach to imposing parking measures at rush hour now that traffic has almost returned to pre-pandemic levels.
Baptist said officials provided a “significant degree” of discretion in applying peak hours during the pandemic.
“Although we would prefer not to issue anyone a $ 150 parking ticket to stop at rush hour and we would prefer to see voluntary compliance with these rules. Many people now park randomly at rush hour routes, blocking these lanes for other traffic. And we believe that law enforcement will get people back on track, improving the flow of traffic in the city, “he said.
Each year, employees issue an average of 72,000 tickets for peak hours.
From Monday, July 4, the police will resume the confiscation of vehicles parked on the routes at the peak time of the city.
“… The prospect of your car being withdrawn is a very powerful incentive to follow the law. And I’m not happy about the fact that people tow their cars, but it has a very beneficial effect on their habits when they have to go to one of these places quite far and get their car back and pay a lot of money to get it back. Said Tori.
Torrey said traffic levels in the city were 90 to 95 percent of what it was before the pandemic.
“This is good news in the sense that people are active in the city, events are returning to the city. People move around the city to a much greater extent, but this cannot be done at the expense of safety above all. And that can’t be done in a way that makes the city stifle its own traffic, “he said.
With summer events returning to the city after a two-year hiatus, Toronto’s streets are expected to be full and lively this summer, including this weekend with a pride parade.
Torrey advises residents and visitors to avoid driving in the city if they can.
“Please walk if you can, please ride a bike, if you can, please take public transport if you can… Most of the events that take place in most parts of the city are well served by public transport.”
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