Tackling traffic headaches

We can curse construction zones and all the other headaches that make driving around the city sheer frustration. But frankly, if we want a cure to one big headache — the problem of blocking the intersection — we need only to look in the mirror.

Impeded by our sheer numbers and in a rush to get to our destination, we try to beat red lights, often landing smack in the middle of a busy intersection — “blocking the box” and thus stopping traffic in all directions — doing our part in bringing the city to halt.

Toronto traffic is now among the slowest in the world. It not only hurts the economy, it also makes driving in and out of the core often unpredictable and frequently unbearable.

The city is taking some encouraging steps, however. The addition of traffic agents along the King Street corridor has made a big difference for streetcars, cutting travel time by about two thirds, according to a city report.

The city deployed two traffic agents at each of six intersections along King Street at the end of November. They were able to keep drivers from blocking intersections 96 per cent of the time, Mayor Olivia Chow told a press conference.

With that success, we welcome the expansion of traffic agents at intersections where too many motorists, unable to restrain their own worst instincts, try to dash through on a yellow light, only to get stuck in the box.

This is just one part of a bigger plan to tackle congestion on a number of fronts.

The city is also looking into increasing permit fees for road occupation — construction-related closures — to recover the full cost of road closures, including the congestion impact; improving signage around construction work zones; increasing work hours for capital projects; escalating fines for repeat offenders for illegally blocking traffic lanes, including bike lanes and dedicated transit lanes. It is also looking at streamlining the delivery of goods to reduce congestion and increasing the “Block the Box” fine from $90 to $450 (from $120 to $500 in a community safety zone), as well as expanding the red-light camera program to deter blocking intersections. These recommendations go to council on Wednesday.

All solid ideas. However, before the city can increase fines, it needs the province to get on board, as they are set under the Provincial Offences Act. To do that, the city needs to get approval from Ontario Attorney General Doug Downey.

The city has also considered using existing red-light cameras for automated enforcement of box-blocking. However, the current red-light camera system cannot be expanded to include additional offences other than the current offence of failing to stop at a red light. This is because provincial legislation requires charges for blocking the box be levied against the person driving, not the owner of the vehicle.

While everyone agrees Toronto has a congestion problem, some commuters might feel the suggested fines are too steep and object to being blamed for getting stuck in the intersection or in the wrong lane. As Star reader Carlo Tersigni wrote, “I always try not to enter the intersection before there is space on the other side. Problem is, as soon as there is half a car space available on the other side, someone making a right moves in. Need to have no right turns on the red as well at major intersections.”

For others, the embarrassment and shame of “blocking the box” — the scornful eyes of drivers and pedestrians as you wait for the longest light ever to turn green — feels like punishment enough.

But judging how many drivers are still trying to beat the light, that embarrassment isn’t enough of a deterrent. Hopefully the threat of a higher fine makes them think twice.

There is no question that Toronto traffic is terrible. Driving downtown is a test of patience. But as the city prepares for more than one million new residents and faces the challenges of climate change, we need to adapt. A big part of that is ramping up public transit but eventually the city will have to take bold measures to reduce congestion by limiting the number of cars on streets.

Some big cities with similarly snarled traffic — including London and Singapore — have applied congestion charges and vehicle restriction zones with the goals of reducing the number of cars to ease gridlock. While proven effective, Toronto politicians have so far been loath to introduce such measures.

In the meantime, best follow the advice of driving instructors everywhere — know where you are going, plan ahead and be patient.