The two West Coast states are the latest to ban blabbing behind the wheel, joining the ranks of others like Connecticut, New Jersey, New York and Utah, which already have similar laws in place.

In California's case, the state is also banning 16- and 17-year olds from talking, or sending text messages, on their phones while driving, except on their own property or in an emergency. Adult drivers in California spotted spouting with a cell phone to their ear will be hit with fines of $20 for the first offense and $50 for subsequent tickets, plus additional fees that could more than triple the fine.

California is making the hands-free cell phone law a primary offense, meaning a driver can be pulled over if seen talking with a cell phone to their ear.

Washington state is also getting in on the hands-free law, also starting Tuesday. In Washington, a chatty motorist can be slapped with a ticket for $124. Unlike California, however, Washington's hands-free law is a secondary offense, meaning a driver must be pulled over for something else, like speeding or running a stop sign, and then noticed talking on the cell phone.

The moves by the two states are part of a national initiative to decrease driver distraction and reduce the number of cell phone-related crashes. The ultimate goal is to get drivers to pay attention to the road and not their gadgets and gizmos. A recent study by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety reveled that drivers talking on cell phones are four time more likely to be involved in an automobile collision. That same study noted, however, that using hands-free devices doesn't always make a difference.

Regardless, both states are telling motorists that if they want to continue to talk and drive, they must install hands-free devices or earpieces that enable them to keep both hands on the wheel while carrying on a conversation.

While both California and Washington are just the latest to add a hands-free edict to law, more states are expected to follow suit. So far this year, 33 states have introduced 127 bills related to driver distraction, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures.

The growing number of state laws prohibiting cell phone use is expected to create a boom in the hands-free device market. In anticipation, ChannelWeb has compiled an overview of the 10 hottest hands-free devices to help motorists comply with the new cell phone driving bans. The slideshow highlights some of the latest and greatest Bluetooth devices, car kits and other wireless gear to keep conversations going wherever you drive.