Two Toronto performance artists are drawing attention to pedestrian safety by acting as unofficial 'traffic referees' at the intersection of Richmond and Peter streets in downtown Toronto during rush hour.

Martin Reis launched the project about four years ago after observing how difficult and sometimes unsafe it was for pedestrians to cross busy downtown roads.

Inspired by soccer officiating and energized by the FIFA World Cup atmosphere in the city, Reis and fellow performer Pascal Murphy patrol the intersection every Wednesday afternoon.

Using the referee identities 'Avery Goodcall' and 'Collin Offside,' the pair hand out symbolic yellow and red cards to motorists who block crosswalks, bike lanes, or intersections.Drivers who partially obstruct pedestrian routes may receive a yellow card, while those who block the entire intersection are issued a red card.The performers stress that the activity is meant to be light-hearted and does not interfere with traffic flow.Their goal is to encourage awareness of road rules while creating positive interactions among road users.Murphy says the brief interruption adds humour and community spirit to daily routines, helping people imagine a more considerate public space.The referees occasionally issue cards to pedestrians as well, emphasizing that everyone shares responsibility for safety.

The initiative has generally been well received by passersby, many of whom smile, laugh, or thank the performers for highlighting genuine safety concerns.

Visitors in Toronto for World Cup-related travel also praised the project for contributing to community engagement and celebrating the sport beyond the stadium.

According to Reis, the pair can issue dozens of yellow cards and up to 20 red cards in a single hour, reflecting the frequency of traffic violations they observe at the intersection.