If you’ve ever driven on Toronto’s major highways—the 401, Don Valley Parkway (DVP), or 404—chances are you’ve been stuck in one of those notorious traffic jams that seem to stretch on forever. It’s a familiar scene: traffic blocked for miles due to an accident, which, when you finally pass by, seems minor and non-life-threatening. Meanwhile, on the other side, traffic slows to a crawl as drivers rubberneck, curiously watching the scene.

This inefficiency really bugs me, and I can’t help but think, “There has to be a better way.”

I’ve lived in Austin, Texas, and it’s a world of difference. There, accidents are handled swiftly. Officers are positioned to keep traffic moving, especially on the opposite side of the incident. As soon as an accident occurs, the priority is to get vehicles and debris off the road quickly, so others aren’t impacted. It’s a simple, effective approach that Toronto could learn a lot from.

Why does this happen? One reason might be Toronto’s approach to traffic management around accidents. It feels as if there’s little focus on minimizing the impact on other drivers, resulting in significant delays that cause frustration and waste time. By contrast, in Austin, I’ve seen police actively directing traffic and taking steps to ensure that accidents, unless severe, don’t block entire lanes for long stretches.

Why This Matters Beyond Frustration

The inefficiency of these closures affects more than just our tempers. Hours spent idling in traffic due to non-essential road closures increase fuel consumption, contribute to air pollution, and lead to lost productivity. And let’s not forget the potential dangers: extended roadblocks and unpredictable stops increase the likelihood of secondary accidents as frustrated drivers become more prone to errors.

Solutions Toronto Can Consider

Toronto has options to address this issue, and some of them are as simple as adopting practices that have already proven effective in other cities. Here are a few suggestions:

1. Swift Scene Clearance – Establishing a “move-over” policy to ensure that minor accidents are moved to the shoulder or nearby exits as soon as possible. Only critical accidents should necessitate lane closures.


2. Reducing Rubbernecking – Assigning officers to the opposite lanes can discourage drivers from slowing down to watch, ensuring smoother traffic flow.


3. Better Communication with Drivers – Utilizing digital signboards or mobile alerts to inform drivers about delays and alternative routes can help them adjust accordingly and reduce unnecessary congestion.


4. Enhanced Training for Traffic Management – Investing in more specialized training for officers and responders to handle accidents more effectively and minimize their impact on traffic.



A Call for Change

Toronto is an incredible city with so much potential, yet its highways could operate far more efficiently. Adopting these changes might be just what’s needed to make Toronto’s roads safer, faster, and less of a daily headache. Here’s hoping that the right people see the value in these improvements and make the necessary changes.

Until then, I’ll keep hoping for a smoother commute—and a solution that makes sense for all of us.