Talkers hurry to buy hands-free devices

Locals rushed to their nearest electronics stores in droves Monday, if reluctantly so, to adhere to California’s new law requiring drivers to be hands-free while talking on their cellphones.

“I think it’s kind of dumb. They’re taking control of everything,” said Denise Dorsheimer, as she left a Costa Mesa Target. The law was meant to keep people from being distracted while on the road, and not on their phone, but “not everybody’s like that,” Dorsheimer said.

“It’s ridiculous,” she added.

Over the last few weeks, many local stores like Circuit City, Target and RadioShack have been slammed with customers looking for hands-free cellphone devices, the most common of them being headsets with Bluetooth wireless technology.

“We’re selling them like you wouldn’t believe,” said David Sandground, a very busy Newport Beach Circuit City employee.

At one Costa Mesa electronics store, employees have been selling about 20 Bluetooth headsets a day, a cashier there said.

The law won’t make people safer drivers, said Elisabeth Gustorf of Corona del Mar.

“I think the problem is people being distracted,” Gustorf said. “[Hands-free] is more convenient. But, I see people eating, drinking, doing their make-up. It’s always something.”

Laguna Niguel resident Stephen Webber remembers an accident in his community, where the woman was speeding, not wearing a seat belt and talking on her cellphone. He said she crashed into the back of a big-rig and died.

“Had she not been yakking on her cell phone, she might have seen it,” Webber said. “I think this law will be for the better. There are people that say they can multitask, but I don’t think so.”

According to the California Highway Patrol, inattention caused by a hand-held cellphone contributed to 969 injury car accidents from January 2006 to October 2007. There were only 56 injury accidents in that same period from inattention caused by hands-free cell phones, CHP statistics show.

NEW LAW FACTS

 Drivers older than 18 may use hands-free devices. Drivers younger than 18 may not use cellphones or hands-free devices while driving.

 Drivers without hands-free devices are allowed to use their cell phones in emergency situations.

 The base fine for a first offense is $20 and $50 for subsequent offenses.

 Violating the law will not result in a point on your drivers license, but will appear on your driving record.

 There is no grace period for enforcement.

 Police can pull you over solely for using a hand-held device while driving.

 Text messaging is not prohibited, but police can pull over drivers who appear distracted.

JOSEPH SERNA may be reached at (714) 966-4619 or at joseph.serna@latimes.com.