The month of March was coined as Distracted Driving Awareness month by SGI Canada.

"In Saskatchewan, we saw the most tickets ever issued related to distracted driving," said Tyler McMurchy from SGI."

Of the 523 tickets issued, 441 were for driving while using, holding, viewing or manipulating a cell phone. The other 82 were for driving without due care and attention.

The Province's distracted driving laws were changed in January, increasing the definition of distracted driving to include holding and viewing a cell phone.

McMurchy went on to say that it's extremely disappointing to see the amount of tickets.

"These numbers are too high. There's absolutely no reason for somebody to be using a cellphone behind the wheel of a car."

As the number of tickets handed out continues to rise, so does the number of collisions and fatalities.

"Its the single largest cause of traffic collisions in Saskatchewan and the second largest cause of fatal collisions only behind impaired driving," he noted.

"You never think it will happen to you until it's too late. Drivers need to put their cell phones down so they can focus on the road and their surroundings."