Here's how to avoid a $110 fine on King Street starting Monday - Action News
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Toronto

Here's how to avoid a $110 fine on King Street starting Monday

Toronto police will start ticketing drivers who disobey the new rules of the road introduced as part of the King Street pilot project on Monday.

Police will start ticketing motorists who disobey the new rules of the King Street pilot project

King Street drivers continue to get ticketed for not following the pilot rules which prohibits vehicle through-traffic. More than 8,000 tickets have been handed out since the pilot began and it's still common to see motorists disobeying the rules. (Martin Trainor/CBC)

Toronto police say the grace period is over for drivers on a portion of King Street starting on Monday.

Police will nowticketdrivers who disobey the new rules of the road introduced as part of the King Street pilot project.

Officers in the area have kept busy over the last week warning drivers time and time again not to drive straight through any intersection on King Street between Bathurst and Jarvis Streets.

Const. Clint Stibbe says policehave stopped about 2,000motorists since the project began last Sunday.

But as of Monday, it will be much more than a warning.

"If you are charged with an offence, it will be a $110 fine and two demerit points. If you are convicted, it could affect your insurance rates," Stibbe said.

How to navigate the new King Street

7 years ago
Duration 2:05
Drivers have the most changes to get used to with the King Street pilot project as the streetcar is king to fight congestion and help move 65,000 people quicker along the TTC's busiest surface route.

The only exception is given to taxi driverswho are allowed to drive straight through the intersections overnight, between 10 p.m. and 5 a.m.

"This line has been unfortunately in difficulty for many years, and as a result, something must be done," the constablesaid in an interview.

The TTC says more than65,000 people take King Street streetcars every weekday, making it the busiest surface route in Toronto's entire transit system.

TTC CEO Andy Byford says it's too early to have empirical data on the project but he's pleased by its progress so far.

He acknowledges drivers'confusion over the past week but says it is to be expected.

"This is the biggest change to downtown traffic and transit routes in the city for decades, perhaps for ever. It's quite radical," Byford said.

The project is planned for one year to evaluate the impact of prioritizing streetcars on commuters, motorists and area businesses.