OPP

The Ontario Provincial Police says “Don’t drive distracted. It could kill you or someone you love.”

The OPP have started a week long distracted driving campaign and will be focusing on those who are using electronic devices behind the wheel.

Provincial Constable Carolyn Ward says when you’re driving your sole focus should be on the road. Ward says that means putting it in the glove box, trunk or purse so you can’t reach it when it goes off.

She says the fine for driving while holding a hand held device or having a screen visible to the driver is now $490 and 3 demerit points.

Actions such as dialing, scrolling through contacts or manually programming a GPS device, for example, are illegal.

Ward adds distract driving is the cause of more collisions than speeding or impaired.

Ward says study shows drivers using an electronic device are four times more likely to be involved in a collision.