Toronto is taking a tougher stance on drivers who block intersections, a practice commonly referred to as “blocking the box.” At a press conference held at the intersection of King Street West and University Avenue, Mayor Olivia Chow and Deputy Mayor Jennifer McKelvie announced significant increases in fines for this behavior.
Under the new regulations approved by city council, drivers caught blocking intersections will face a steep fine of $450, up from the previous penalty of $85. In community safety zones, the penalty will escalate to $500, up from $120. These fines aim to deter drivers from obstructing traffic flow and have been formally approved as of Monday.
“Everyone on our roads has seen a driver trapped in between an intersection,” McKelvie stated. “Today, we are taking concrete action to tackle drivers blocking the box.”
In addition to raising fines, the city is also considering enhanced enforcement strategies, as the number of tickets issued for blocking the box has been notably low. To support these efforts, new signage will be installed at key intersections throughout the downtown core, and the enforcement of fines will extend citywide.
Mayor Chow expressed her frustration with the disruption caused by blocking the box, noting that it leads to standstill traffic that affects all road users. “When the light changes, everybody is stuck. No one is going anywhere,” she remarked. “It’s infuriating. Guess what? You’re going to pay for bad behaviour, and we’re going to fine you.”
The city is collaborating with the Toronto Police Service (TPS) to enhance enforcement of the “Don’t Block the Box” initiative. TPS Traffic Services advises drivers to wait outside intersections until they can fully clear them before entering.
To further bolster enforcement, the city is exploring the potential use of technology, including automated cameras to monitor and penalize offenders. City staff are expected to provide an update on these initiatives to city council in October.
