The City of Toronto is about to get a lot tougher on drivers who park illegally on city streets during rush hour.
Officials are set to announce stricter parking by-laws on Tuesday that will increase the fine for parking illegally during rush hour to a fixed-rate of $150, up from the current $60.
The increased rush-hour fine will be in effect from 6 a.m. to 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Officials say the new fine structure will be all-or-nothing and that drivers will no longer be able to get such fines reduced.
Drivers in the city were not happy to learn of the new laws.
“I think it’s understandable, but still unfair. It’s one of those things you think about every so often, you think you’re just getting gouged a little bit,” said one Toronto resident.
Under the new rules, tow trucks can also haul away a car if there are three unpaid, undisputed tickets on the offending driver’s record.
“I don’t like that at all, that’s really dumb,” said one driver. “Three? They should at least give you like five.”
The new provisions will be in effect as of Friday.
Toronto councillor Denzil Minnan-Wong, who is chair of the Public Works committee, says more details surrounding the new parking policies will be revealed on Tuesday.
