It's another month for SGI’s traffic safety spotlight and this month they are shining the light on distracted driving.

Manager of Media Relations Tyler McMurchy said, that while SGI and Law enforcement continues to put a focus on distracted driving, it still is currently the leading cause in collisions, injuries, and fatalities.

“One of the things we want people to know this month is just how easy it is to avoid a distracted driving ticket. Every month when we report the traffic safety spotlight results, in the past few months anyway, we have seen a significant increase in distracted driving tickets which tells us that police are doing a pretty good job. It doesn't mean there are more distracted drivers out there it just means more people are getting caught.”

McMurchy said that avoiding a distracted driving ticket isn’t all that hard, simply not picking up your phone will help you avoid picking up a ticket.

“That means not holding, using, manipulating or viewing it if you are in a motor vehicle. If you are an experienced driver you can mount it on your dash and you can use voice-activated options. Learner drivers and novice drivers aren't allowed to use their cellphones at all.”

Handing your phone to a passenger, stowing it away in a glove box or even throwing it in the backseat are all ways you can avoid being distracted while driving.

“There are a number of things you can't do while driving, you can't use your phone even when stopped at a stop sign or stopped waiting at a train. If you do have your phone on a dash you still shouldn't be manipulating it or watching Netflix while you are driving a vehicle.”

McMurchy adds that driving alone commands enough attention and that it only takes one accident to change someone's life for the worst.