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# Driving with both hands New cell phone laws go into effect today
- URL: https://www.smdp.com/driving-with-both-hands-new-cell-phone-laws-go-into-effect-today/
- Published: 2008-07-01T15:00:00.000Z
- Updated: 2026-10-24T20:00:44.000Z
- Author: Guest Author
- Tags: local, Santa Monica, #archive-import

*Law enforcement ready for new laws*

*By DANIEL ARCHULETA Managing Editor*

CITYWIDE — The act of chatting away on a hand-held cell phone while navigating city streets and freeways has gone from being a mere annoyance to fellow drivers and law enforcement to a violation of the state’s vehicle code.

As of today, drivers will no longer be allowed to use hand-held cell phones while operating a vehicle. A new law makes the act punishable by a fine and could even increase the cost of insurance for repeat offenders. The fine for the first offense is $20 with subsequent violations drawing a $50 penalty. With court costs the fine could easily triple.

A companion law states that drivers under 18 are not allowed to use any type of phone, even hands-free devices.

While some laws come with a grace period allowing people to become acclimated to the new restrictions, this latest legislation designed to keep the state’s highways and byways safe is not among them.

“On the first day we will be aggressively enforcing the law,” said Sgt. Larry Horn, with the Santa Monica Police Department’s Office of Special Enforcement/Traffic. “We will be out there writing tickets. … With all the publicity and media attention around this, there is not one person who can tell me that they did-n’t know about the law.”

To help spread the word, the California Department of Transportation has utilized a number of giant neon signs stationed along the state’s freeways, including a pair on the I- 10 Freeway in Santa Monica. Law enforcement agencies including the California Highway Patrol have done their part by aggressively reaching out to the public and news organizations to raise awareness.

“We didn’t have a budget for (publicity),” said Tom Marshall, spokesman for the CHP. “The legislation didn’t require us to publicize it, but we’ve used the news media to get the word out.I’ve never had an issue that prompted this many calls from the public and media.”

Marshall believes that heightened interest in the law is partially due to the number of accidents involving drivers talking on cell phones. Aside from being just a nuisance, inattention due to drivers using cell phones has been a factor in 2,547 collisions statewide from January 2006 through October 2007\. There were also seven fatalities attributed to drivers talking on cell phones.

“These numbers are probably grossly underreported because these statistics are culled from what drivers admit to,” Marshall said. “All of those \[accidents\] occurred while drivers were using \[hand-held\] cell phones.”

Marshall hopes the new law makes the streets safer,but feels that more could be done.

“I think anything can be a distraction if you allow it. Our advice to motorists is to never use any phone while driving,” Marshall said.

To help limit distractions, the new law does allow drivers to use cell phones equipped with hands-free devices, which is proving to be a boon to the auto and phone accessory industries.

Bluetooth enabled devices, which require no wires, are the most popular among consumers according to John Haynes, the head buyer for Al & Ed’s Autosound, a popular retailer with locations on Wilshire Boulevard just outside the Santa Monica city limits and Lincoln Boulevard in Venice.

“We anticipated there would be a push at the end of June and brought in increased inventory in late May,” Haynes said. “Most consumers do not yet understand what Bluetooth technology is or how it can positively affect them. Many of the free phones provided by phone companies are Bluetooth enabled.”

Al & Ed’s Autosound report a sharp increase in sales thanks to the new law with a 10 fold increase in the number of installations of hands-free devices it has performed in the past month.

“There is no question that laws put in place will provide heightened awareness to hands free devices,” Haynes said.

While business has been good for some, the trickle down effect hasn’t made its ways to all local retailers.

Leo Wu, president of Kila Kila Wireless on Broadway, said sales haven’t increased as of yet, but added that it is most likely just a matter of time before it does.

“I sell cell phones, so of course the law is good for me,” he added.

Aside from law enforcement and retailers, the new law appears to be well received by area commuters.

“I think the law is a really good idea,” said David Morton, a Santa Monica resident.“The law should be used to set an example for the rest of the country.”

*Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on July 1, 2008.* [Read the original PDF.](https://s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/smdp%5Fbackissues/070108.pdf?ref=smdp.com)