More than 99.7 percent of drivers who violate traffic rules on a stretch of King Street West downtown are not getting tickets from the Toronto police, according to a study conducted by the University of Toronto’s School of Cities. The study, which analyzed data on vehicle movements and traffic tickets from 2016 to mid-2023, revealed that there are approximately 6,800 illegal turns and through movements at intersections daily on the King Street transit priority corridor. However, less than 0.3 percent of drivers are being ticketed. The researchers behind the study, Jeff Allen and Qi-Sheng Chen, suggest that the lack of enforcement is a missed opportunity for the city, and they propose the use of automatic enforcement cameras to address the issue.
The City of Toronto has expressed its commitment to the King Street transit pilot project, which aims to prioritize streetcar traffic and improve transit efficiency. The project was launched in 2017 as a pilot and was made permanent in 2019. While private vehicles are not banned, they are supposed to be restricted at most intersections along the corridor. The city has stated that it recognizes the importance of enforcing traffic rules on the corridor and is currently reviewing the study.
On the other hand, the Toronto Police Service has highlighted competing demands for its resources, with public safety being their top priority. The police spokesperson, Stephanie Sayer, explained that while the movement of streetcars on King Street is important, the police prioritize responding to urgent calls and enforcing the big four traffic offenses that contribute to serious collisions in the city. Sayer also mentioned that traffic congestion and gridlock downtown have increased significantly in recent years, further complicating the policing situation.
Councillor Chris Moise, in response to the study’s findings, has emphasized the need for a solution that does not solely rely on police enforcement. He suggests exploring the possibility of automated traffic enforcement, such as speed cameras, to address the violations on the King Street transit priority corridor. Moise believes that enforcing traffic rules solely through police presence is not a feasible solution.
The TTC, Toronto’s transit agency, acknowledges the significant congestion on King Street West and the impact it has on streetcar service. TTC spokesperson Stuart Green stresses the importance of ensuring transit priority on King Street and calls for collaboration between the city, Toronto police, and the TTC to improve enforcement efforts.
Residents and commuters on King Street West have experienced delays and frustration due to the chaotic traffic situation. Celina Campbell, a Toronto resident, cites streetcar delays and the unreliability of the service as ongoing issues she faces.
In conclusion, the University of Toronto study suggests that the lack of ticketing for traffic violations on the King Street transit priority corridor is a significant problem. The City of Toronto is currently reviewing the study, while the Toronto Police Service emphasizes the challenges posed by competing policing priorities. The possibility of automated traffic enforcement is being considered as a potential solution to improve compliance with traffic rules on the corridor and prioritize the efficiency of transit.
