Just FYI everyone, on 7/1/08 California's hands free Cellphone law goes into effect.

"..prohibits driver using hand held wireless telephone while operating a car...

bluetooth is ok
bonafide 911 emergency calls ok
passengers ok
drivers under age 18 can not use any cellphone device at all

Hope to amke Calfornia roads safer...

Here's hoping ALL states which don't have such laws follow suit -- and soon!

I totally agree!! Cannot drive anywhere in the Metro DC area without seeing 80% of drivers using cell phones.

Same effective date for the state of Washington.

Interesting article in the LA times a couple of wks ago, regarding a research study using hand free cell phone devices vs holding a cell phone. Conclusion: There is NO difference regarding safety. The driver is distracted whether they have a hands free device or are holding a cell phone in both hands.I, also heard the researcher on public radio. I was all set to start using my hands free cell phone, but now I try to avoid using my cell phone when driving

Anyone know of an "official" state-by-state list of regs or laws about cell-phone use? I know that pretty much any state can ticket you for driving "distracted," but wondering which will actually pull you over for having a cellphone held to your ear ... or even talking via earpiece!

I agree that talking on a cellphone is distracting but I'm not convinced it's more distracting than talking to a passenger. Even if "they" have done studies showing that driving one-handed talking on a cellphone held in the other hand is "no more risky" than talking via earpiece+mic, I'm not persuaded. I do believe that distracted is distracted; but being distracted PLUS driving one-handed logically should be riskier.

(I know, I know. I sound like my grandfather whose response to news that they had proved something about splitting an atom was "well, they haven't proved it to ME!" ;-) )

One might argue that hands free phones still distract you, but compared to text messaging. . .??????

"Drives" me crazy to be behind some guy in the left lane, going too slow, won't move over and talking on the phone.

The law doesn't ban cellphones. It just require you to use a handsfree set (except for those under 18).

Studies in states with such law have shown that its has no effect on rate of accidents. If you don't want to get into one, don't talk on the phone, period.

I believe similar laws go into effect in NC as well.

"If you don't want to get into one, don't talk on the phone, period."

I'd say that if you don't want to increase your risk of an accident, don't talk on the phone.

Ttess: The article also talked about how cell phone use slowed traffic down. I can't remember the %age of miles per hour, however I think that's a good thing, but I don't think they intended the comment as a positive consequence of using a cell phone!

Cassandra: The difference between talking to someone next to you and talking to someone on a cell phone is that the person next to you can understand that traffic problems can stop the flow of conversation and they will accept the interruption, but the cell phone's listener has no idea that the driver is facing a problem. This is not my analysis, but something that was discussed on the NPR program.

I agree with the posters that state, just don't use the cell phones when driving, period! Now, I have to take my advice. It is so tempting to use the cell phone while driving the LA freeways, especially when sitting in stop and go traffic!

There is a huge difference in talking over the phone and talking to someone in the car, and it's not only because the persons in the car can observe the traffic and stop the conversation.

More importantly, at least that's how my brain works, when I talk on the phone, I will often imagine visually where the other person is, what it is like OVER THERE. And then after I hang up the phone, I will realize that I can't remember much during the last few blocks (or last few miles) I've driven. It's that scary.

Maybe some of you are better in multi-tasking, but next time after you hang up the phone while driving, try to remember details of the road you've just covered. You may not remember that much.

This has nothing to do using a handset or not.

I can barely walk down the street and pay attention when talking on a cell phone, let alone drive. What is really scary is the people (mainly young adults) who believe they can send and read text messages whilst driving.

As a recent victim of someone who backed into me whilst on their cellphone and more than a little anti cellphones these days!!!