Toronto launches 2-week enforcement blitz for no stopping zones during rush hour

The City of Toronto and Toronto police are beginning a two-week enforcement blitz on Monday, targeting drivers who stop in no stopping zones during rush hour on major roads. 

Police parking enforcement officers "will be strategically deployed along high-traffic corridors in the downtown core" to enforce no stopping bylaws, according to a city news release Monday. 

The manager of the Toronto Police Parking Enforcement Unit said program isn't new.

"This is an intensification of what we do every day to try and help keep Toronto moving during the afternoon rush hour," Mike Harrison told CBC Toronto on Monday.

Enforcement will increase on weekdays from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m., said Harrison. 

He said drivers could receive a $190 ticket and their vehicle may be towed if they stop or stand in the stopping zones.

No stopping zones are areas where motorists are banned from stopping except to avoid conflict with other traffic or to comply with a police officer or traffic signals, the city said in the release. 

Harrison said some of common parking offences include when people don't realize that the curb space has transitioned from paid parking to a no stopping zone, and when people park for a delivery or pickup.

WATCH | Understanding Toronto's new congestion plan: 

Breaking down Toronto's new plan to tackle congestion

2 months ago

Duration 2:54

From the creation of a so-called "traffic czar" to a new charge for construction companies, Toronto city council has approved a slew of measures to tackle congestion. CBC's Lane Harrison breaks down the highlights.

These behaviours disrupt the traffic flow and prevent transit and emergency vehicles from reaching their destinations, he said.

"It creates an unsafe environment by blocking site lanes, and then vehicles are tasked with going around them. And then you're putting vulnerable road users such as cyclists at risk who may have to swerve around those stopped vehicles," said Harrison.

These zones include key downtown corridors, areas near bus and streetcar stops, pedestrian crosswalks and fire hydrants. A full list of no stopping zones is available on the city's website. 

In April, city council directed city staff and Toronto police to carry out two "no stopping enforcement blitzes" this year — one by the end of June and another by the end of September, according to the news release.

"The enforcement blitz is aimed at reminding drivers about the importance of obeying traffic signage to help keep traffic flowing, especially during the busiest times of day, and supports the city's comprehensive congestion management plan," the release said. 

The city said it will review the results of the blitz after it ends on June 27 "to assess its impact and determine next steps." 

Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow said she applauds Toronto police for making sure drivers are obeying the law.

"We will have a hundred traffic agents to direct traffic, and I applaud the police for joining and blitzing, and ticketing people that are not obeying the law and stopping illegally," said Chow at an unrelated news conference Monday.

"Perhaps they can do more, but let's evaluate and see what happens after these two weeks."

Toronto police said the following areas will be targeted in the blitz:

• Adelaide Street E. and W. 
• Carlton Street.
• Church Street.
• Dundas Street E. and W. 
• Front Street E. and W. 
• Gerrard Street E. and W. 
• Jarvis Street.
• King Street E. 
• Queen Street E. and W. 
• Parliament Street. 
• Richmond Street E. and W. 
• Spadina Avenue. 
• Wellington Street W. 
• Yonge Street.
• University Avenue.