Of 131 citations handed out in the city from July 12 to 27 for handheld cellphone use while driving, 49 percent went to drivers age 31 to 50, Thousand Oaks police Sgt. Robert Fleming said.

The total number of citations given for cellphone violations in the month of July was 196: 14 to drivers age 20 and under, 34 for ages 21 to 30, 42 for those age 31 to 40, 51 to drivers age 41 to 50, 43 to those age 51 to 60, and 12 to drivers 61 and older.

In 2009, eight traffic collisions in Thousand Oaks were related to cellphone use. So far in 2010, another eight traffic accidents have been blamed on the use of cellphones while driving. The total number of traffic accidents in Thousand Oaks in 2009 was 1,595; as of July 27, there have been 855 vehicle accidents this year in the city.

“The main primary collision factor is usually unsafe speed or unsafe turning movement,” Fleming said.

In addition to enforcement by daily patrols, the Thousand Oaks Traffic Bureau will continue random focused enforcement of the cellphone laws.

Two laws dealing with the use of wireless telephones while driving went into effect July 1, 2008. One law prohibits all drivers from using a handheld cellphone while operating a motor vehicle. Drivers may use hands-free devices, such as a Bluetooth earpiece, while operating a motorized vehicle, but only one ear can be covered at a time. The other law prohibits drivers under age 18 from using cellphones in any way while driving, including using those with hands-free devices.

The Wireless Communications Device Law, which became effective Jan. 1, 2009, makes it unlawful to write, send or read text-based communication on an electronic wireless communications device, such as a cellphone, while driving a motor vehicle.

It’s legal for a driver to use a wireless telephone to make emergency calls to a law enforcement agency, a medical provider, the fire department or other emergency services agency, according to the Department of Motor Vehicles.

The first cellphone violation brings a $20 fine, with $50 for subsequent convictions. But with penalty assessments, the fine can be more than triple the base amount.

Cellphone convictions will appear on driving records.

More details on the law can be found at the DMV website, www.dmv.ca.gov.