END OF THE LINE FOR PHONE-HOLDING DRIVERS GOVERNOR SIGNS BILL OUTLAWING HAND-HELD CELLS.

Byline: CAROL ROCK Staff Writer

SANTA CLARITA -- Driving the streets of California holding a cell phone to your ear soon will be against the law, as California becomes the latest state to outlaw driving while using a hand-held cell phone.

Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger on Friday signed the California Wireless Telephone Automobile Safety Act of 2006, adding California to a short list of states -- New York, New Jersey, Connecticut and the District of Columbia -- where drivers must use a hands-free attachment.

``I think it's a good idea,'' said Valencia resident Michele Hannah, who admitted to having a fender-bender while talking on her phone in the past. ``Everyone should have the ear piece and pay attention to the road.''

Danielle Boser said she has mixed feelings about the new law, saying she sees several other distractions when she's driving.

``People are putting on their makeup, eating and probably doing worse things,'' said Boser, a Valencia resident.

Jake Ruiz, 14, a student at Valencia High, said phones aren't the only reason driving is dangerous.

``A lot of people are irresponsible and just bad drivers,'' he said.

His friends, gathered around a shopping center court yard waiting for a ride, echoed his feelings. One said his father was adamant about using hands-free technology, something he intends to do when he gets his license.

``Cell phones are but one cause of distracted driving,'' California Highway Patrol Officer Michelle Esposito said. ``The consequences of diverting your attention for even a moment can be devastating.''

Esposito said that cell phone talkers are easy to pick out in traffic.

``You see someone drifting and fluctuating speed, nine out of 10 times, it's someone talking on their cell phone,'' she said. ``What's worse is some of them talk with their hands.''

In June, CHP Officer Bruce Turnn's patrol car was rear-ended on the Antelope Valley (14) Freeway by motorist Evan Wade, who was reaching down to pick up his cell phone when he hit Turnn's parked vehicle. Turnn was injured and remains on light duty.

Statewide CHP statistics for 2005 reveal that when cell phone use was noted in accident reports, 1,098 incidents involved hand-held cell phones, compared with 102 involving hands-free devices.

In Los Angeles County, hand-held cell phones were cited as a cause in 206 collisions, out of 1,506 driving-distracted incidents. In the Newhall CHP area, 12 out of 114 collisions were caused by drivers using hand-held phones.

The new law, which takes effect July 1, 2008, imposes a $20 fine for the first offense and $50 for every subsequent offense. However, additional administrative costs may be assessed depending on the jurisdiction.

Legislators stopped short of making the cell phone infraction a ``points'' violation, so drivers' records will not be affected, regardless of how many times they are cited for the offense.

Emergency calls to 911 are exempt, as well as calls made by school or transit bus drivers, commercial truckers or operators of farming vehicles. Calls made while driving on private property would also be excluded.

``It's hard to say if talking on a cell phone causes an accident because we're distracted by so many other things,'' said Deputy Scott Ponder, a 15-year veteran of traffic enforcement. ``Our responsibility is to follow the rules and pay attention while we're driving, but we listen to the radio, talk to other people in the car, comb our hair.''

``When I was working the Malibu station, there was a lady who was cutting her hair while she was driving,'' he said. ``She almost hit me.''

Ponder said, however, he doesn't think the new law will make any difference.

``How often are people talking to the kid in the back seat or have a computer on the seat next to them? People eating and drinking, things drop in their lap, and they swerve. Smokers, too. They drop the cigarette and instead of pulling over and getting a slight burn, they reach down for it and take their eyes off the road.''

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(color) Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger signed a bill on Friday that will outlaw the use of hand-held cell phones while driving. However, the law will not take effect until July 1, 2008.

Photo illustration by David Crane/Daily News