Police across the province are stepping up distracted driving enforcement this month.

BC RCMP Traffic Services Superintendent Holly Turton says distracted driving is more than just being on your cell phone while behind the wheel.

“Personal grooming, eating, drinking, reading, pets, other passengers and not knowing your route [are all types of distracted driving],” she said.

“And we have all seen this type of driver: The one who can’t maintain a steady speed, can’t maintain their lane, stops well short of the stop line or fails to stop altogether, and the ones who remain stopped even though other traffic has started moving.”

Turton says distracted driving is responsible for more than 25 per cent of all car crash fatalities in B.C., with an average of 76 people killed each year.

“Driving while distracted may cause your trip to end in tragedy for you or someone else. Don’t be that driver,” she added. “Ask yourself if it is worth your life or someone else’s to answer a call, check your email or send that text while you are driving. Please make the right choice while you drive. Ignore your phone and drive responsibly.”

The fines for distracted driving start at $368 plus four penalty points and a $252 premium on your insurance for the first offence.