Drivers who enter a Toronto intersection when there is no space on the other side — resulting in blocked traffic when their green light turns to red — may soon be in for an unpleasant surprise, and not just a blast from someone else's car horn.
New enforcement measures taking aim at drivers who block intersections, also known as 'blocking the box,' are being rolled out by the Toronto Police
Service today.
Officers will be targeting those who block the box during peak traffic hours and are focusing on major intersections citywide, police detailed in a press release.
Authorities said officers will use body-worn cameras to capture infractions and then guide drivers to nearby parking areas or side streets to issue tickets in an attempt to reduce the impact on traffic.
Blocking the box disrupts vehicle flow and creates unsafe conditions for motorists, cyclists and pedestrians, police said.
The move comes after the city's recent increase in fines for blocking an intersection, with tickets rising from $90 to $450 at most intersections citywide. In designated community safety zones, the fines have increased from $120 to $500.
"When you block the box, you're creating an unsafe environment on the road for everyone – motorists, cyclists and pedestrians – while also adding to congestion and gridlock," said Deputy Chief Lauren Pogue. "Our officers, in collaboration with the City of Toronto, will emphasize education and enforcement of these infractions to ensure safer and smoother transit for all road users."
