The most important thing to think about while driving is… driving. Distracted driving means any activity that diverts your attention from the road. Being distracted, even for just a few seconds, is all it takes to cause a fatal crash. Each year, on average, on Manitoba roads 28 people are killed in collisions linked to distracted driving.*

*Source: Traffic Accident Report Database, 2013-2017

One of the most dangerous of distractions is using a hand-operated electronic device, such as a cellphone, smartphone or tablet, for any reason while driving.

In Manitoba, it’s against the law and being caught using a hand-operated electronic device behind the wheel will result in a three-day licence suspension for a first offence and a seven-day suspension for each subsequent offence. Upon conviction, it will also result in a $672 fine and moving five levels down the Driver Safety Rating scale.

Distractions can be anything that takes your eyes off the road, hands off the wheel or mind off the job of driving. Texting while driving, for example, is extremely dangerous because it does all three. Distractions can happen both inside and outside your vehicle. Some of the most common are using smartphones or tablets, adjusting audio systems, using GPS, interacting with passengers, eating, drinking, smoking and viewing commercial signs.