Distracted driving the number one cause of crashes: police

Police say inattentive driving is linked to more collisions on OPP-patrolled roads so far this year than speeding and alcohol/drug-related collisions combined.

Since Jan. 1, driver distraction has been reported as the primary cause in 6,360 road collisions.

In contrast, speed was the primary cause in 4,700 crashes, while 1,158 of the incidents involved a driver who consumed alcohol or drugs.

A total of 47 people have died so far this year because of an inattentive driver, up from 39 such deaths this time last year.

“With children and other students taking to the streets and being bused to school beginning next week, the need for motorists to pay full attention to driving - and for others to take a firm stand against drivers who are not -- has never been greater,” stated a press release from the OPP.