If you drive through downtown Toronto during rush hour, you’ve probably noticed how a single stopped vehicle can quickly back up traffic for blocks.
To help tackle this, the City of Toronto and the Toronto Police Service have launched a two-week enforcement blitz targeting drivers who stop in designated “no stopping zones” during peak afternoon hours.
According to a press release from the City, from now until Friday, June 27, parking enforcement officers will be out in full force between 3 p.m. and 7 p.m. on weekdays, patrolling major arterial routes where illegal stops frequently cause congestion and safety concerns.
These zones include busy downtown streets, spots near streetcar and bus stops, pedestrian crosswalks, fire hydrants, and other critical areas where vehicles cannot stop — even for a moment.
If you stop in one of these no stopping zones, you can receive a $190 fine, and your vehicle may be towed to keep the road clear.
This blitz is part of a broader City initiative called the Congestion Management Plan, designed to keep Toronto’s streets moving more efficiently by cracking down on common causes of traffic jams. Earlier this year, Toronto City Council approved two enforcement blitzes focused on no stopping zones — this being the first, with another planned for late September.
Toronto police say this blitz will reinforce existing rush hour enforcement efforts by focusing resources on trouble spots in the downtown core. The goal is to remind drivers that obeying no stopping signs isn’t just about following rules — it’s about making daily commutes safer and faster for everyone.
After two weeks, City staff and police will review the blitz’s effectiveness and decide what will follow to keep congestion under control.
You can visit the City of Toronto’s website to see where these no stopping zones are and learn more about the 6ix’s traffic rules.
This article’s cover image was used for illustrative purposes only.
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