WATCH: Radar technology could be used to nab drivers making illegal left turns, stifling rush hour traffic, clogging streetcar tracks. Mark Carcasole reports.
TORONTO – The TTC and Toronto police are trying to reduce congestion on King Street and may install cameras similar to red light cameras to catch drivers holding up traffic.
The TTC is looking to install cameras along King Street in order to catch drivers making illegal left turns – a problem, TTC chair Karen Stintz says, can cause backups across the streetcar route.
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“So we’re going to undertake over the next few weeks to look at those intersections and identify which ones are problematic and potentially target those ones to help improve the traffic flow,” Stintz said.
The TTC is looking to reduce congestion along King Street, specifically between Roncesvalles Avenue and Broadview Avenue.
And police chief Bill Blair said a number of the already installed cameras along the thoroughfare could help.
“We already have red light cameras at a number of intersections,” Blair said. “The technology has now advanced to the point where we can use the same technology to enforce prohibited turns.”
While the police usually utilize blitzes to catch speeders or impaired driving, Blair said the same practice would actually make congestion worse along King Street because police would have to take over another lane for the operation.
The fine for an illegal left turn is a $110 and two demerit points.
The TTC is now investigating where it could install the cameras.
– With files from Mark Carcasole
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