Toronto police are cracking down on distracted drivers in a six-day, province-wide campaign that began Monday.

Officers are looking for those who talk on the phone or text while behind the wheel, as well as drivers who may be eating or applying makeup.

Driving with a pet in the car can be a distraction, police warn, as can slowing down to look at a crash.

The Ontario Provincial Police said that eight people have already died in distraction-related crashes in 2012.

“We're only five weeks into the new year and eight have died already.... That's more than impaired driving and speeding fatalities combined," Chief Supt. Don Bell said in a statement.

“Whether you're texting, talking, reading or shaving, a diversion — any diversion of attention that lowers one's ability to focus on driving can happen and within seconds, someone else could die.”

A law banning the use of handheld devices behind the wheel passed at Queen's Park in April 2009 and police began enforcing it in January 2010.

Drivers can still use a cellphone, but it must be a hands-free device. That means having an earpiece or headset that uses voice dialing.

Using a cellphone or device while driving can earn you a $155 fine. Other forms of distracted driving can result in a careless driving charge that carry fines ranging from $400 to $2,000, a possible licence suspension of up to two years and/or a short jail term.

The OPP claims 35 deaths were caused last year by drivers simply not paying attention. This is the first of four such distracted-driving campaigns this year.