John Tory’s congestion crackdown starts Monday

WATCH: Mayor Tory means business when he says he’s going to crack down on downtown congestion. Dave Trafford explains.

TORONTO – The New Year begins with Mayor John Tory’s promise to tackle Toronto’s traffic woes.

He issued a pre-Christmas warning to lane blockers and illegal parkers in the downtown core, warning them they will be towed in the New Year.

 “Park in those places on the major routes after the education period – you will be towed,” he said.

Tweet This Click to share quote on Twitter:  "Park in those places on the major routes after the education period - you will be towed," he said.

As of Monday morning, “there is zero tolerance for parking on busy streets, downtown, during rush hour – as it should be.”

The crackdown warning is posted on the digital signs on the Don Valley Parkway and the Gardiner Expressway for all downtown-bound drivers. Police and tows will be tagging and hauling offending vehicles on all fronts.

“We are looking at the high occupancy vehicle lanes; we are looking at the rush hour route parking; we’re looking at construction vehicles blocking the routes. We’re looking at everything,” Toronto Police Constable Clint Stibbe said.

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The main area of focus will be bound by Dupont Street to the north, Parliament Street to the east, King Street to the south and Dufferin Street to the west. A little yellow tag under your wiper and tow to the pound won’t be cheap.

“You’re looking at upwards of $200 for the tow and the parking ticket which is going to be $50,” Stibbe said. “And that doesn’t include the cab fare you might have to cough up to rescue your car from the pound. It could easily turn into $300 of grief.”

Tweet This Click to share quote on Twitter: "You're looking at upwards of $200 for the tow and the parking ticket which is going to be $50," Stibbe said. "And that doesn't include the cab fare you might have to cough up to rescue your car from the pound. It could easily turn into $300 of grief."

Some may question the mayor’s resolve, but he’s so far been very clear on his commitment – to the point of offering to drive a tow truck himself.

“I would love to drive a tow truck,” Tory told reporters at his New Year’s skating party. ”I have such a firm commitment and a zeal to try and do what I can to fix the traffic. I suspect there are some licensing requirements and basic skill sets I don’t have that will preclude me from actually driving one but maybe they’ll just let me sit in the seat and even just pull the lever takes the winch up and down a couple of times. And that would be a good thrill for me. So, I suspect you may see me in a tow truck sometime next week I’ll be asking if I can.”