Toronto police promise ‘heavy’ enforcement in attempt to reduce gridlock on streets

"Much of the problem caused on our roadways is caused by us, it’s caused by our citizens being inconsiderate in the way in which they park their car, they cross the street and the way in which they sometimes block an intersection," Blair said.

"We will undertake a public education campaign over the next four weeks and then beginning in the first week in January a very significant traffic enforcement and parking enforcement campaign will be undertaken that will include heavy enforcement on all our arterial roads and also the towing of vehicles that park illegally."

The campaign will focus on five infractions:

• motorists making illegal turns at intersections;

• pedestrians stepping onto the roadway in advance of the green light or the walk signal;

• vehicles blocking intersections;

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• motorists stopping in a live lane of traffic to get a coffee or pick someone up;

• failing to clear minor collisions from the roads (motorists should move the vehicles onto a side street, exchange information with the other involved drivers and go to one of two collision reporting centres in the city).

"Each one of these behaviours results in a negative impact on the free flow of traffic, increasing travelling time or raising frustration levels of all our road users," said Supt. Gord Jones of police traffic services.

"I would ask each person as they prepare to travel that they focus all their energies on being the very best pedestrian, the best driver, the best cyclist that they can be by being professional, courteous and focused on the chosen task at hand."

Police plan to post five public service videos onto their website as part of the campaign.

"We think it’s very important to educate the public," Blair said. "Much of the intent of our enforcement is to keep our roadways safe and to keep our roadways moving. We believe that by modifying the behaviour of our citizens we can achieve both of those aims."