To Celeste Tyler and her teenage friends, text-messaging is as effortless as tying their shoes.
The high school senior can text without looking, sending messages on her red Samsung "slider" while it's behind her back, in her purse or under her desk at school, where cell phones are banned.
So why not do it while driving?
Well, now the law. A state rule that takes effect Tuesday prohibits 16- and 17-year-olds from using any device to talk or text while driving, except in an emergency.
A companion law allows adults to continue chatting away, but says they must use a hands-free device while driving.
And that's just not fair, Tyler said.
"I've seen a lot of adult drivers that are way more irresponsible than my friends with licenses," said the 17-year-old, who is studying for her license. "People over 28 don't know how to use their phones very well."
Most teenagers rarely talk on their cell phones, she said, preferring text and instant messaging instead.
Texting is not specifically prohibited in the law for those 18 and older, but law enforcement officials say it's generally covered under statutes aimed at distracted drivers.
California's crackdown is part of a nationwide movement to get drivers' attention focused on the road rather than their conversations and their gadgets.
Lawmakers in 33 states have introduced 127 bills related to driver distraction this year alone, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures.
"Ten years ago, there were very few people with cell phones," said Matt Sundeen, the organization's transportation expert. "That's obviously changed."
New York, Connecticut, New Jersey and Utah are among the states with laws requiring hands-free use of cell phones. A Washington state law takes effect at the same time as California's.
Some cities also have passed restrictions, including Chicago and Santa Fe, N.M., as has the District of Columbia.
In California, more than 4,000 people...

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