The governor has saved us from ourselves by signing the handheld cell-phone ban into law. July 1, everyone driving in California must give up talking on cell phones while driving, unless they are using a hands-free device.

Drivers under age 18 have to give up talking on a cell phone while driving altogether. They are not allowed even to use a hands-free device.

That will take some getting used to. But the police will be there to help, handing out tickets that will cost a $20 base fine for the first infraction and a base fine of $50 for each infraction thereafter.

A couple of those fines add up to the cost of a basic headset, so it will be worth the while of everyone in the habit of talking on a cell phone while driving to invest in one before July 1.

Many convincing studies have been conducted showing the increased risks of driving while holding a cell phone to one's ear. Other studies indicate the risks are increased just by talking on a cell phone, hands-free or not, since one can become engrossed in a conversation and pay less attention to driving.

However, it doesn't take a study to determine what everyone knows who has used a cell phone while driving: Cell phones divert attention from the important task of driving.

California follows several other states and local jurisdictions in restricting drivers' cell-phone use, including Connecticut, District of Columbia, New Jersey, New York, Utah and Washington. Also, several companies ban their employees from using cell phones while driving.

There are a few exceptions to California's new law, such as drivers can use a handheld cell phone if they are making an emergency call to an emergency agency, such as police or fire; emergency-response drivers can use a cell phone without a hands-free device; drivers of commercial vehicles can use two-way radios with a push-to-talk feature until July 1, 2011; people driving on private property can use a handheld cell phone. Also, vehicle passengers may use cell phones.

Because it is so tempting to talk on a cell phone and drive, this habit would be hard to break without a law.

Of course, there is no rule about disciplining children, scarfing a burger or sipping coffee while driving, all very real distractions on the road.

Cell phone or not, hands-free or not, the real message behind this law is that driving is serious business. We wouldn't expect a police officer to point a gun and talk on a cell phone at the same time. A vehicle can be as deadly a weapon as a gun. It's about time we took our driving far more seriously.

No phone call is worth a life.