Authorities are targeting illegally parked vehicles in the Toronto Police Service's second rush-hour crackdown this year.
As of Monday, parking enforcement officers will focus their efforts on all vehicles parked illegally on major roadways in the city.
"It is very simple. Don't park in rush hour traffic blocking lanes of traffic," Toronto Mayor John Tory said as he announced the blitz in September.
"People listen when there are penalties to their actions, and those blocking roadways obviously need a reminder."
Starting Oct. 5, major Toronto roadways will be "saturated" with police officers looking specifically for parked vehicles during rush hour.
Toronto Police Chief Mark Saunders said the blitz will focus on an area bordered by Bloor Street, Dufferin Street, Lake Shore Boulevard and the Don Valley Parkway.
Tory's "Tag and Tow" campaign was first rolled out in January, when police began targeting vehicles parked illegally during rush hour.
Since January, vehicles have been towed at the owner's expense, and drivers have also been charged up to $230 to get their vehicles back. Delivery truck drivers were charged up to $1,000.
Though the zero-tolerance policy has been in effect since January, Saunders said the October awareness campaign is meant to serve as a reminder for those who may have forgotten the rules.
"We've noticed over a period of time that people are starting to come back to the bad habits of parking in the rush hour areas," Saunders said.
He said officers have tagged approximately 60,000 vehicles and towed nearly 12,000 vehicles parked illegally since the campaign began.
