Cellphone users are driven to distraction, law says

California drivers face a variety of new road rules in 2008, including a requirement for handsfree cellphone devices and a ban on products that obscure license plates.

California Highway Patrol Commissioner Mike Brown said the new laws will make roads safer and strengthen the ability of law enforcement "to crack down on those who try to skirt the law."

Most of the new laws go into effect Jan. 1, but one highly anticipated law is an exception. Drivers have until July 1 to legally use a hand-held cellphone; after that drivers must use a hands-free device.

Emergency situations are the exception.

When signing the bill into law in 2006, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger said that CHP data shows cellphone use is the number one cause of distracteddriving accidents.

Requiring drivers to use hands-free devices better ensures that drivers have their hands free to place on the wheel while driving.

A similar law, which also goes into effect July 1, prohibits minors from using any mobile communication device, hands-free or not, while driving. Emergency purposes are exempted.

Effective Jan. 1, people who smoke in a vehicle when a minor is present face paying a $100 fine. The law applies whether or not the vehicle is moving but does not permit law enforcement to pull a driver over solely for that reason.

A new law makes it illegal to use or sell spray coating or any other product that diminishes the ability of electronic devices, such cameras that catch red light and tollbooth violators, from reading a vehicle's license plate.

Law enforcement can now tow a vehicle that displays false registration tags or license plates. In the past, officers could tow a vehicle only when the registration was more than six months out of date.

Operators of Segways and other electronic mobile devices have to travel at speeds safe for the road conditions and in a manner that won't endanger others.

Operators also must give pedestrians and disabled people the right of way.

Anyone applying for or renewing a driver's license to operate school, youth group or public transportation buses must now have a medical exam before the license is granted.

Whether renewing or applying for the first time, driver's license applicants must now sign a statement acknowledging that they could be charged with murder if someone dies as a result of driving under the influence.

Another new law says those who commit serious traffic violations cannot use traffic school or other courtapproved safedriving programs to be exonerated.

State legislators also consid- ered operators of two-wheeled vehicles when passing new safety laws: It's now illegal to ride a bike on a highway, sidewalk or bike path at night without using lights and reflectors.