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SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE - RCMP officers witnessed an alarming number of people using cell phones while driving during an October check stop in Yellowknife.

"I noticed myself at least five people still talking on their cell phones when stopped," said Const. Kathy Law.

She said there were around 10 more motorists who hung up their phones before the check stop.

"The fact remains it is a distraction and can increase the chance of a collision," said Law. "You'll survive a missed call, you may not survive a collision."

The check stop on Thursday, Oct. 23 was to promote National Students Against Impaired and Distracted Driving Week.

There is no specific legislation against talking on a cell phone while behind the wheel, but Earl Blacklock, manager of public affairs and communications with the GNWT Department of Transportation, said impaired driving is not just a term for driving while drunk.

"Distracted driving is impaired driving. Fatigued driving is impaired driving," he said. "Your judgment is impaired."

The RCMP is working in conjunction with the GNWT Department of Transportation on the transportation safety information program, Drive Alive, which started roughly a year ago.

"One of our biggest concerns in terms of the Drive Alive program is when people are not driving with their full attention," said Blacklock.

He said texting while driving is also becoming an issue for driving safety in the territory and something the department hopes to discourage.

"We want people driving with 100 per cent of their attention," said Blacklock.