FINANCES IN THE FAST LANE GENERAL MOTORS, FIDELITY OFFER DRIVERS VOICE-ACTIVATED STOCK TRADING BEHIND THE WHEEL.

Byline: Gregory J. Wilcox Staff Writer

Ever dream about cruising Los Angeles streets and freeways in a stock car? It'll be possible this spring, and you won't have to spend a wad of cash for a garish paint job or souped-up engine.

General Motors Corp.'s OnStar subsidiary is partnering with Boston-based Fidelity Investments in a program that will give drivers access to their stock portfolios and the ability to make trades without taking their eyes off the road or hands off the wheel.

The thrill won't come cheap, though, and the ride could be every bit as gut-wrenching as screaming down a Talladega straightaway decal-to-decal with Dale Earnhardt.

OnStar is a voice-activated in-car communications system now available on 32 models of General Motors cars. The new stock option, available on 2001 models, is scheduled for a spring rollout in the Los Angeles area. Even if you're jammed up in traffic while the markets are tanking, you can at least do something about your financial position.

A spokesman for Fidelity, which has been at the forefront of expanding investor trading tools into cyberspace, says the system gives customers one more option in a market when saving time can mean money.

``We're always looking for ways to provide as much convenience and control for our customers as possible,'' said Jim Griffin, a Fidelity spokesman. ``This will be an account-management tool for those people who want to utilize it.''

Customers will be able to check their account balances, get real-time quotes and make trades. The cost for trades ranges from $14 to $25, depending on the customer's activity and account balance.

OnStar plans cost either $199 or $399 annually, depending on the level of service. Air time costs for the phone calls ranges from 18 cents to about 30 cents.

In-car stock trading has been possible for a while via cell phones, pagers and personal digital assistances. But Fidelity and OnStar officials say this is the first time it can be done via a voice-activated system.

But questions of safety still exist in Los Angeles, known for its bullish drivers.

OnStar spokeswoman Debbie Frakes says the system can be activated by pushing one button, and then the driver simply responds to audio prompts.

``Seventy percent of all cell-phone minutes are burned in a vehicle, so we are providing a much safer (environment),'' Frakes said.

Sgt. Ralph Elvira, a spokesman for the California Highway Patrol, said the most important thing a driver should be managing is his vehicle, not a stock portfolio.

Thinking about money matters while zipping along a freeway can complicate matters, Elvira said.

``Anything that would distract a driver while he or she is driving increases the accident potential for that person, whether they are trading stocks, turning around to mind their children or talking on a cell phone.''

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Photo: (color) no caption (Freeway)

Tracy Wooden/Staff Artist