(October 24, 2016) HORNHILL, Ont. — Drivers are giving every excuse in the book for not paying attention behind the wheel. A new Ipsos survey conducted for CAA South Central Ontario (CAA SCO) shows one in three (32 per cent) Ontarians admit to driving distracted because of their mobile devices, and the number one reason for not focusing on the road is because someone called.

"There is no excuse for driving distracted," said Teresa Di Felice, Director Government and Community Relations, CAA SCO. "Making a phone call or sending a text message isn't worth putting your life or someone else's at risk."

Top 10 reasons for driving distracted:

    Someone has called (44 per cent)
    Emergency purposes (33 per cent)
    Have to get in touch with someone I am meeting (27 per cent)
    Someone has texted (26 per cent)
    Have to talk to spouse (21 per cent)
    Have to talk to parents (17 per cent)
    Able to multi-task (15 per cent)
    Use for work (11 per cent)
    Bored at red light (11 per cent)
    Have to talk to children (9 per cent)

Tips to reduce distractions behind the wheel:

    Turn off mobile devices
    Stow and secure loose objects
    Prepare children with everything they need
    Pre-set the climate control and radio
    Pre-program your route on GPS
    Allow phone calls to go to voicemail
    Don't text, surf the web or read emails
    Avoid eating, drinking or smoking

In Ontario, it's been illegal for drivers to talk, text, type, dial or email using cell phones and other handheld devices since October 2009. Since Sept.1, 2015, drivers who are caught breaking the law face a minimum fine of $490, plus three demerit points upon conviction.

The Ipsos survey was conducted for CAA SCO in June 2016, among a sample of 801 licensed drivers in Ontario.