January 26, 2015
As part of ongoing efforts to cut traffic congestion, the City of Toronto, together with the Toronto Police Service, is expanding the zero-tolerance towing policy to target out-of-province vehicles that repeatedly park illegally.
Currently, cars and trucks, including commercial vehicles, with out-of-province plates receive parking tickets but the City has no recourse to collect outstanding tickets. This allows vehicles with out-of-town plates to abuse parking regulations, blocking traffic and contributing to gridlock.
Under this new policy, people with out-of-province licence plates and three or more outstanding parking tickets will have their vehicle towed if found parked illegally. This is phase two of the Parking Ticket Habitual Offender Program that was launched early last year to improve traffic flow and compliance with the City’s parking regulations. Full enforcement is expected to begin in February after an education period by Toronto Police.
“Traffic congestion is strangling our city, we need to get Toronto moving,” said Mayor John Tory. “Earlier this month, my zero-tolerance rush hour towing policy launched and made a real difference in congestion. By expanding this approach to include repeat out-of-province offenders, we are taking concrete action to cut congestion. I am confident these measures will make a real impact on our ability to get around, get to work and get home to our families.”
With this new phase, information about the number of outstanding parking tickets for vehicles with out-of-province licence plates will be made available to parking enforcement officers. Habitual offenders who continue to abuse parking regulations will be towed in the same manner as those with Ontario licence plates. All towed vehicles are subject to towing fees of approximately $200 plus daily storage fees of up to $80.
Illegally parked and stopped vehicles contribute to traffic congestion, which has a considerable impact on residents, businesses and visitors. Recent studies indicate that congestion costs Toronto commuters billions of dollars annually in travel delays, vehicle operating costs and accidents.
This initiative will help reduce traffic delays and fuel consumption for drivers, as well as reduce the impact that congestion has on our economy. Clearing the road system of illegally parked vehicles will improve traffic flow and the quality of life for all residents and visitors as well as allow the City to better respond to traffic conditions.
Toronto is Canada's largest city, the fourth largest in North America, and home to a diverse population of about 2.8 million people. It is a global centre for business, finance, arts and culture and is consistently ranked one of the world's most livable cities. Toronto is proud to be the Host City for the 2015 Pan American and Parapan American Games. For information on non-emergency City services and programs, Toronto residents, businesses and visitors can visit
http://www.toronto.ca, call 311, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, or follow us @TorontoComms.
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Media contacts:
Amanda Galbraith, Office of the Mayor, 416-338-3206, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Anthony Fabrizi, Revenue Services, 416-392-5880, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
