The OPP’s annual distracted driving campaign began on Monday.
The campaign coincides with the March break and it features an increased OPP presence on Ontario highways in an effort to crack down on what has become the leading cause of road deaths in the province.
It’s the fifth year the OPP have held their distracted driving campaign and police stress they have zero tolerance for distracted driving year round.
Provincial police say distracted driving was to blame for 83 deaths on OPP-patrolled roads last year, more than speeding, not wearing a seatbelt, or alcohol and drug-related deaths.
Since the provincial distracted driving laws took effect in 2009, 692 people have been killed on OPP-patrolled roads in collisions that involved an inattentive driver.
A distracted driving conviction will cost you three demerit points and up to $1,000.
Police say drivers can also be charged with careless driving under the Highway Traffic Act, or even charges under the Criminal Code of Canada.
Both carrying hefty fines and penalties.
Last year, the OPP responded to 8,700 collisions that were linked to distracted driving.