Since the first of July, officers in Selma have handed out seven citations to adult drivers violating California's new hand-held cell phone ban.

"We think it has had a positive effect on people's driving attention," said Selma Police Chief Tom Whiteside about local enforcement efforts.

The ban took effect on July 1. Adult drivers are prohibited from talking on a cell phone without a hands-free device, such as a Bluetooth earpiece. Minors are prohibited from talking on a cell phone -- with or without a hands-free device.

"Luckily we haven't seen any minors thus far that have been driving with these cell phones illegally," Whiteside said. "That's a good sign."

According to the California DMV, if drivers are convicted of violating the ban, 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 the $20 base fine.

In an emergency, drivers can still use their phone to call law enforcement or fire departments.

Whiteside said he thinks it will take some time for state officials to fully measure the effectiveness of the new legislation.

The Selma police chief also said he thinks citizens are likely grappling with how to use wireless hands-free devices that are allowed under this law.

"It takes them a little while to become accustomed to it (the new law)," he said.

Over in Kingsburg Police Chief Jeff Dunn said his department has issued a total of eight citations since the law took effect earlier this month.

"It's not nearly as many as when we do the Click-It or Ticket campaigns ... on that, there's a lot," he said.

Dunn said this is likely due to the fact that when the Kingsburg police are performing a grant-based operation like "Click It or Ticket," officers are out looking for people violating the particular law. Under the new cell phone ban, officers only pull over drivers if they see a violation.

In comparison, Fresno's law enforcement efforts have resulted 318 citations to adult drivers as well as one citation for a driver under the age of 18, according to Jeff Cardinale, public information officer for the Fresno Police Department.

Although it's only two weeks old, Cardinale said he thinks the law is already showing positive results.

"I do think it's having an impact and I think it's ultimately going to lead to fewer collisions and to saved lives," he said.

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