EDITORIAL HANDHELD HAZARD PHONING AND DRIVING A BAD MIX.

THOSE who are opposed to proposed legislation banning driving while holding a cell phone say the bill can't do anything about the larger problem of inattentive drivers.

Well, no, it can't. Until they invent a gizmo that can force people to pay attention in safety-challenged situations, nothing can stop that.

But that's not a sound argument against a bill that would ban California motorists from using handheld cell phones while driving. Everyone with a working set of eyes can see that when drivers use handheld cell phones -- as opposed to one of the various technologies that allows them to talk hands-free -- their driving skills suffer. Sometimes to fatal effect.

According to Sen. Joe Simitian, D-Palo Alto, it's even worse than that: Handheld cell phones are the No. 1 distraction that leads to car crashes.

If that's true, it's good enough reason to push drivers toward one of the many, and reasonably priced, hands-free options available. Most people can purchase an ear bud for their cell phone for less than the cost of one tank of gas.

This bill is really just a nudge to civilized behavior. No one's car will be impounded for using a handheld cell phone. The first infraction is a $20 fine, and motorists are exempted in cases of an emergency.

Besides, with rising popularity of the wireless cell phone ear-bud technology, by the time this legislation takes effect, on Jan. 1, 2008, there might be few handheld phones left to regulate. If a ban propels that ongoing trend, all the better.

Southern California drivers have enough to worry about negotiating the congested freeways and roads. State legislators ought to endorse SB 1613, and Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger ought to make good on his promise to sign it into law.

Then, maybe we can talk about those TV screens so popular in cars now.