Ontario Provincial Police say distracted driving now accounts for more crashes on OPP patrolled roads than speeding and drugs and alcohol combined.
Since January 1, driver distraction was the primary cause in 6,360 crashes, speed caused 4,700 crashes, and 1,158 crashes involved a driver who consumed alcohol or drugs.
Sergeant Dave Rektor says they're ramping up enforcement this long holiday weekend.
"Our message is the same message that we've been saying for a long time, put the cell phone in the glovebox before you end up in a wooden box," says Rektor. "We're dead serious about that, and passengers have a role to play as well. If they see their driver talking or texting on the phone, tell them to stop it immediately."
Rektor says 47 people have died so far this year because of an inattentive driver, up from 39 at this time last year.
He says with school starting September 5, and extra kids and buses on the roads, the need to pay full attention to driving has never been greater.
