A shift in takeout coffee buying habits is snarling traffic in Liverpool.

Mayor Darlene Norman says since the McDonald's restaurant closed for renovations consumers have moved across the street to Tim Hortons to buy their coffees causing traffic to spill out through the intersection as people wait in line for takeout.

“It creates a backlog of traffic as people try to turn in and the holding line is full, so they end up sitting out in the road rather than going in through the parking lot and parking and either waiting their turn or walking into the building,” said Norman. “It causes road rage to say the least.”

Norman says she has spoken with RCMP and learned that despite what many people assume, it is not illegal to block an intersection.

“In my discussion with Staff Sergeant Archibald he said according to the Motor Vehicle Act you cannot be ticketed if you happen to be sitting in the middle of an intersection because where you want to go is blocked."

*That turned out to be inaccurate as drivers can be ticketed and fined for tying up the intersection under section 122 subsection 5 of the Motor Vehicle Act which clearly states:

“no driver shall enter an intersection or a marked crosswalk except to make a left or a right turn unless there is sufficient space on the other side of the intersection or crosswalk to accommodate the vehicle he is operating without obstructing the passage of other vehicles or pedestrians.”

Further clarification from Liverpool RCMP shows the confusion is the result of a sign posted near the intersection by the Region of Queens which says there is to be no stopping anytime on a green light.

The sign erected by the municipality is unenforceable under the Motor Vehicle Act.

Region of Queens council discussed whether a traffic study is needed around the lone set of traffic lights in the former town but determined it would not resolve the problem.

“The traffic lights work fine. It’s a parking lot issue. It’s a matter of how the cars stack together, how they filter in through that,” said Norman. “What small Tim Hortons built before drive-ins does not have this problem?”

Instead, the mayor will speak with the operators of Tim Hortons and the adjoining Sobeys grocery store to ask them to work out an arrangement that will allow cars to line up for the drive through in the available parking area.

As the Region works to find a solution to the traffic woes, Norman asks residents to be considerate of others.

“Come on people don’t be rude. Don’t sit there knowingly blocking an intersection where, you’re driving from Liverpool to Brooklyn you can’t get there because that whole thing is snarled up. Just please be kind, please be respectful.”

*A previous version of this report did not reference the appropriate section of the Motor Vehicle Act. The story has been updated to properly reflect the traffic laws.

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