The new hands free cell phone law goes into effect on Tuesday, July 1st, 2008, and will impact literally millions of California drivers and cell phone users alike. There are actually two new laws concerning cell phone use and motor vehicle operation that will be enforceable, and this article will provide important information about these new laws.

The first law prohibits all drivers from using handheld wireless telephones while operating a motor vehicle. If you are aged eighteen or over, you are allowed by law to use a hands free headset or device, but under the second new cell phone law, motorists under the age of eighteen are not allowed to use a cell phone, with or without a hands free headset or device, while operating a motor vehicle in the state of California. The only exceptions are calls to medical personnel, law enforcement officials, or other emergency types of calls.

These laws also apply to out of state drivers who do not live in states that have enforceable hands free cell phone laws. The first violation of the hands free cell phone law will result in a fine of twenty dollars, and subsequent convictions can result in fines of fifty dollars with the potential of fines more than triple of the original base amount.

The law does not prevent drivers from dialing a cell phone, and passengers of motor vehicles can operate them without restriction. Bluetooth accessories are considered legal under this new law, as long as both ears are not covered, and the speaker feature of some wireless phones is also allowed under the first hands free law, but the push to talk to feature s not considered legal. Text messaging, while not technically prohibited under the law is still subject to a citation at the discretion of law enforcement officials.

The hands free law is stricter for provisional drivers because it has been statistically shown that teenagers are more likely than older drivers to be involved in accidents and to take risks while driving. While these laws may seem strict, they are designed with automotive safety in mind. The good thing to remember about these laws, is that they will give you the opportunity to pick just the right cell phone accessories, which will probably mean that new innovative, gadgets will be available for cell phone users soon. There are already many of these devices available for purchase online and in stores.

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