Toronto increases fines as part of “Don’t Block the Box”

Program intended to reduce congestion, improve safety

Mayor Olivia Chow and Deputy Mayor Jennifer McKelvie (Scarborough-Rouge Park), Chair of the Infrastructure and Environment Committee, today announced increased fines for motorists who block intersections, also known as “Blocking the Box”, as part of the City of Toronto’s ongoing commitment to reducing traffic congestion and making travel safer and more efficient for all road users.

“Blocking the Box is a serious safety concern that puts vulnerable road users at risk and disrupts traffic flow,” said Mayor Olivia Chow. “This fine increase reflects our commitment to ensuring Toronto’s streets are safe for pedestrians and cyclists and reduce congestion that frustrates all road users.”

The fine for an improper stop at an intersection has increased from $90 to $450 at most intersections and from $120 to $500 in community safety zones. The City required approval from the Province of Ontario to increase the fines, set under the Provincial Offences Act.

Starting today, the City is rolling out new signage at key intersections in downtown Toronto where Blocking the Box is a major issue. 

Blocking the Box occurs when a driver enters an intersection on a green or amber signal when there is no reasonable prospect of being able to clear the intersection before the light changes to red. This disrupts traffic flows, causes transit delays and creates serious safety risks.

The increased Don’t Block the Box fines are aimed at encouraging responsible driving behaviour as part of the City’s Congestion Management Plan. 

The City is also working with the Toronto Police Service on a strategy for enhanced enforcement of the Don’t Block the Box program. City staff will provide an update to Toronto City Council in October.

Additionally, the City is exploring the potential use of technology solutions such as cameras for automated enforcement of the Don’t Block the Box program. However, this will require Provincial approval including:

– An amendment to the Highway Traffic Act to allow municipal fines for Blocking the Box to be applicable to the owner of the vehicle instead of the driver. Currently, municipalities only have the authority to implement bylaws that prohibit a vehicle’s driver from Blocking the Box, whereas the technology would capture the vehicle’s license plate in order for a fine to be sent to the vehicle’s owner.

– Approval by the Provincial Information and Privacy Commissioner and an agreement with the Ministry of Transportation to obtain license plate information to fine the owner of the vehicle.

– Procurement of this technology and training Provincial Offence Officers and Prosecutors in its use before the program goes into effect.