Starting next summer, teenagers who use their cell phones at the wheel will face fines for gabbing on the road.

California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger visited Sequoia High School on Thursday to sign the new law, authored by state Sen. Joe Simitian, D-Palo Alto, who also authored a 2006 bill that prohibits the use of electronic devices when driving unless they are hands-free. Both these laws will take effect on July 1, 2008.

“This will eliminate a major distraction for our young and inexperienced drivers and make the roads safer for everyone,” said Gov. Schwarzenegger, who is himself a father to two teenage daughters.

According to the new law, anyone under 18 is forbidden to use an electronic device – cell phone, walkie-talkie, pager, iPod or laptop computer – while driving the automobile, even if they have "hands-free" features. The fine for breaking it will be $20 for the first offense and $50 for subsequent offenses.

“If you're 18, it's hands-free. It's hands-off if you're under 18,” Simitian said.

Statistically, 16-year-old drivers are three times as likely to crash as 17-year-olds and five times as likely as 18-year-olds to be involved in an accident, according to a 2001 National Highway Traffic Safety Administration report.

California is the 16th state to pass such a ban, according to the American Automobile Association. Other states, including New York and Washington are also considering similar legislative measures.

The Austrian native Governor of California took the opportunity to encourage the students to hang up and power off now, rather than wait until the law he just signed takes effect.

“Start that right now!” he urged them. “You could lose your life, or you could …cause a lot of damage to other people's vehicles and lives.”

Cell phones and driving

State Sen. Joe Simitian has authored two bills in two years controlling how drivers use electronic devices while operating the vehicle. Here’s what they do:

» SB 33: Teen drivers and electronic devices Bars drivers younger than 18 from using cell phones, laptops, iPods, pagers and other electronic devices Violators pay a $20 fine on first violation, $50 on subsequent violations.

» SB 1613: All drivers and electronic devices require drivers 18 and older to use hands-free technology when talking on cell phones. Violators pay a $20 fine on first violation, $50 on subsequent violations.