Out-of-province drivers who block lanes of traffic in the city could find themselves in hot water starting today as Toronto police expand their crackdown on illegal parking.
“Anyone who has accumulated more than three tickets and has not dealt with them – either by paying them or going to court – will be subject to heightened enforcement,” said David Armstrong of Toronto Parking Enforcement.
The new initiative will target habitual offenders – those with three or more unpaid tickets that haven’t been dealt with in 120 days.
Since last year Toronto police have been towing habitual offenders found to be illegally parked. However the rule was not being applied to out-of-province plates due to a technical glitch.
“As of this morning they’ll be subject to towing just like anyone with an Ontario plate who’s not paying their tickets,” Armstrong said.
That means that habitual offenders found to be illegally parked will be towed and will also face a towing fee of around $200, plus daily storage fees of $80.
Police say they see about 7,700 habitual out-of-province offenders each year.
According to police, approximately 150,000 vehicles with out-of-province license plates are ticketed for parking illegally each year. Of those, only 15 per cent pay their fines.
While Monday’s blitz closes a loophole, police also reminded drivers that if they’ve moved to Toronto, they should have Ontario plates.
After moving to Ontario, a person has 30 days to register their vehicle with the province. Those who don’t do so could face a fine of $110.
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