SGI, the Crown insurance company, is touting police across the province as being “ridiculously good” at catching those who are driving distracted. Numbers released from March, when the traffic safety spotlight was on distracted driving, show a new record was set for most distracted driving tickets issued in a month.

There were 711 tickets written in total, 583 of which were for using a cell phone behind the wheel.

Tyler McMurchy is the manager of media relations with SGI. He explained the penalties for distracted driving start at $280, but don’t necessarily end there.

“If you get two distracted driving tickets in one year’s time, you get your vehicle impounded for one week’s time,” McMurchy added. “Also, there are four points on your safe driver recognition, which can lead either to a loss of your insurance discounts, or additional financial penalties.”

Newer models of phones and vehicles are working to try to eliminate distracted driving thanks to features which mute notifications while driving, and more. While they are a start, McMurchy explained there is still more to do.

“What it’s really going to take is people making the right decision when they’re operating a motor vehicle, and that means it doesn’t matter if you have the newest phone, or newest car, just don’t use your phone.”

Distracted driving is the leading cause of collisions in the province, and the second leading cause of fatal collisions.

Police across the province weren't just on the lookout for distracted drivers last month. A number of other tickets were issued as well. SGI reported there were 4,267 tickets for speeding and aggressive driving along with 329 impaired driving offences, and 320 tickets for improper use of seatbelts and car seats.

For the month of April , the focus of the traffic safety spotlight has been on speeding and aggressive driving.