Drivers need to pay attention! Toronto's roadside fines skyrocket by five times, and if you accidentally go bankrupt!
According to CityNews, Toronto drivers who are caught blocking intersections, commonly known as "blocking the box," will soon face higher fines.
Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow and Deputy Mayor Jennifer McKelvie will announce an increase in fines at King Street West and University Avenue on Monday morning at 11am to deter such traffic congestion.
The city council had previously approved a motion proposed by McKelvie, requesting the provincial government to allow an increase in fines for drivers blocking intersections from the original $85 to $450. If the driver is in the community safety zone, the fine will increase from $120 to $500.
Toronto is still considering ways to strengthen law enforcement, as there are very few fines issued under the congestion regulations.
In April of this year, McKelvie said, "It's time to send a strong message that blocking intersections will cost you
I believe that increasing fines for congested intersections will help curb this bad behavior, "McKelvie pointed out in the spring.
Blocking the passage of vehicles is one of the most insensitive behaviors towards others. Depending on the intersection, you may block the roads of other drivers, bus passengers, pedestrians, and cyclists attempting to pass legally. Your bad behavior wastes people's time and money, and exacerbates traffic congestion. It's time to send a strong signal that blocking the intersection will make you pay the price
Blocked intersection "refers to the situation where a vehicle is unable to pass at a green light (and is blocked at the intersection when the traffic light turns red) after entering the intersection due to the presence of vehicles ahead. Conversely, this will result in vehicles traveling in other directions being unable to pass through the intersection after obtaining the right of way.
The Toronto Department of Transportation stated that in order to avoid "blocking intersections", drivers should try to wait outside the intersection until they can fully pass through before entering.
Source link:
https://toronto.citynews.ca/2024/09/16/toronto-blocking-the-box-intersections-fines-olivia-chow/