TORONTO – A Toronto city councillor wants to hit people who block city streets during rush hour in the pocketbook — hard.

Coun. Josh Matlow is proposing a $500 fine for motorists who stop in driving lanes during rush hour.

The current fine for blocking a live lane on rush-hour routes ranges from $40 to $60.

Matlow says he believes increasing the fine would deter lane hogs who stop to grab a coffee, drop off a passenger or deliver a package.

He says it’s clear that current fines and levels of enforcement are not working.

He says it has been estimated that traffic congestion costs the Greater Toronto Area’s economy $3.3 billion a year.

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