Texting distracted driving pic

Pay attention if you’re driving over the long weekend.

That’s the message from Ontario Provincial Police.

They say driver in-attention related deaths could double that of impaired related deaths for the first time since distracted driving laws were introduced.

Provincial Constable Carolyn Ward says they will be watching for visual, manual and cognitive examples of distracted driving.

She says the roads will be extremely busy this weekend so keep your eyes on the road, your hands on the wheel, make sure that you are looking ahead and not texting and driving.

Ward says texting is especially dangerous, because it combines all the forms of distracted driving.

There is a $490 fine and 3 demerit points for holding a hand held device while behind the wheel or having a screen visible.

Ward says if you will automatically pick up your phone while you’re driving, put the device in the trunk or in your glove compartment, so you are not tempted.