Police across Saskatchewan issued a record number of tickets for distracted driving in October, which was the SGI traffic safety focus for the month.

The insurance company’s Tyler McMurchy says at 1,290, it doesn’t come as much of a surprise. “We were expecting, I think, a high number. This is an all time high for monthly distracted driving tickets reported by police through the traffic safety spotlight.”

More than 1,100 of the tickets were for cell phone use, but McMurchy says it’s not just restricted to that. “If a police officers sees you eating a bowl of cereal or reading a newspaper while you’re driving you may get a ticket for driving without due care and attention because when you’re driving, you should just drive.”

Come February 1st, the fine for a first offence for distracted driving is going to $580, plus four demerit points.

McMurchy adds that 324 people were caught driving impaired , nearly 390 tickets were handed out for seat restraint violations, and more than 6,500 for speeding or aggressive driving.

(CJGX)