They might not be actively looking for it, but if local law enforcement sees it, they're likely to pull over a driver.

"Officers are probably not going to be giving out warnings, (but) weather a citation is issued is always at the discretion of the officer," said Tom Whiteside, police chief of the Selma Police Department.

Such is the case with the state's new cell phone laws, which went into effect Tuesday, July 1.

Under the first law, drivers are prohibited from using a hand-held cell phone while driving. However, drivers will be able to use a hands-free wireless device, such as a Bluetooth earpiece.

The other law prohibits drivers under the age of 18 from using a hand-held cell phone as well as a hands-free wireless device.

According to the California DMV, if drivers are convicted of violating these laws, the first offense is a base fine amount of $20. Subsequent violations result in a $50 fine. In addition to the original fine, penalty assessments can bring the fines to an amount of more than three times of the $20 base fine.

Still, there are narrow exceptions to both laws.

This exception allows hands-held cell phone users to use their phones only to make emergency calls to law enforcement, a medical provider, the fire department or any other emergency service.

Regardless, both Whiteside with the Selma PD and Police Chief Jeff Dunn with the Kingsburg Police Department say that while they're not conducting an operation to find violators, if their officers do see drivers violating the new law, they'll be pulled over.

For his part, Dunn also said that a person in a vehicle accident could be also be cited if it was found that they were using their hand-held cell phone at the time of the incident.

In Whiteside's case, he said the Selma PD will be on the lookout for drivers under age 18 who are violating the new law.

"Those are the folks that have the most injury and fatal injury issues with being distracted," Whiteside said.

Here's a list of some Selma and Kingsburg businesses which provide hands-free wireless cell phone devices:

n Parrot Cellular: 2851 Highland Ave. in Selma, 891-2301

n Xtreme Wireless: 2912 McCall Ave. in Selma, 896-6008

n Cricket Communications: 2730 Whitson Ave. in Selma, 896-0888

n All in One Communications: 2829 Whitson Ave. in Selma, 891-7373

n RadioShack: 2851 Highland Ave. in Selma, 896-3011

n Verizon Wireless: 902 Sierra St. in Kingsburg, 897-7134

For more information on the specifics of the new laws visit http://www.dmv.ca.gov/cellularphonelaws/index.htm