It's time to get the facts on California's hands-free law. In September of 2006, Governor Schwarzenegger signed SB 1613, a bill to prohibit the use of cell phones in motor vehicles without the use of a hands-free device. On July 1, 2008, this law goes into effect and: Prohibits the use of cell phones by drivers unless the driver is using a hands-free device. Prohibits the use of cell phones by drivers age 18 and under. Allow drivers of commercial vehicles to use push-to-talk phones until July 1, 2011. Allow drivers to make emergency phone calls without using a hands-free device. Allow drivers of emergency response vehicles to use cell phone without a hands-free device. A 2007 survey* showed that cell phone users experience high anxiety over motorists who use hand-held wireless phones. Despite these powerful perceptions, less than half of the survey respondents reported owning a hands-free device. With the enforcement of SB 1613, wireless calls made by drivers must now be hands-free. While requiring drivers to use hands-free devices does not eliminate all distractions, the law does encourage drivers to free their hands and better focus on the road. *The telephone survey conducted by Booms Research & Consulting in May 2007 and included 600 interviews with cell phone users ages 16 and older.