'Traffic referees' officiating Toronto streets during rush hour

In the bustling streets of downtown Toronto, a unique group of "traffic referees" has emerged, taking on the role of officiating drivers during peak rush hour. At the intersection of Richmond and Peter streets, these self-appointed referees use a system of yellow and red cards, inspired by soccer, to signal infractions to drivers who are not adhering to traffic laws.

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If you’re blocking the whole intersection, like a bike lane, crosswalk and the rest of the car lanes, you get an instant red card and you have to go home and hit the showers.

Martin Reis, a performance artist, initiated this project about four years ago, motivated by observing pedestrians struggling to navigate roadways safely. The current FIFA World Cup in the city has provided a renewed platform for this initiative, blending traffic regulation with a celebration of the sport. "It's all very good-natured," Reis stated. "We're on the crosswalk, we don't get in anyone's way... we're just making sure everyone gets across and have a little fun along the way and celebrate soccer, football."

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It’s all very good-natured. We’re on the crosswalk, we don’t get in anyone’s way, we don’t try to wreck traffic. We’re just making sure everyone gets across and have a little fun along the way and celebrate soccer, football. That’s so universally loved and brings people together.

Reis, often joined by Pascal Murphy, operates under playful referee personas like "Avery Goodcall" and "Collin Offside." They issue yellow cards for entering a crosswalk improperly and red cards for blocking an entire intersection, with two yellow cards escalating to a red. While the approach is lighthearted, the referees address genuine safety concerns. "It's a tiny little interruption in our lives which, I think, gives us the opportunity to create the world we want as opposed to the world that was given to us," Murphy commented, noting the positive reactions from pedestrians, including smiles and thank-yous.

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It’s a tiny little interruption in our lives which, I think, gives us the opportunity to create the world we want as opposed to the world that was given to us. So, that little interruption is really beautiful. You see people just lighten up, enjoy it and share a smile. I hope that travels.

During a typical hour, the referees estimate issuing 30 to 40 yellow cards and 15 to 20 red cards. Tourists have also appreciated the initiative, viewing it as a creative way to build community spirit around the World Cup and enhance street safety. The traffic referees can be found every Wednesday during rush hour at the Peter and Richmond streets intersection.

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If they have come into the crosswalk, they’ll be given a yellow card and if they block the whole intersection then they deserve a red. If they get two yellow cards, that turns into a red. You never know, on occasion pedestrians get cards as well. Depends.