POULSBO — Putting down the phone before pulling out of park is something drivers are just going to have to get used to.

That’s what Poulsbo Police Officer Justin Gillen said while patrolling Viking Way Monday morning.

“It’s no different than when you get in your car and you have to put your seatbelt on,” he said. “You get in your car, you make your call.”

Then start your engine.

The advice stems from a new state law going into effect July 1. From that point forward, driving while using a wireless communications device will be considered a traffic infraction.

With the exception of emergency situations, it’s hands-free or hands-off on the roadways.

But Gillen said that doesn’t mean the tickets will start being issued in bulk.

“Part of our job is to educate people,” he said. “Just because a law comes out doesn’t mean we automatically start hammering people.”

The new law states talking on the phone while driving is a secondary violation, meaning a driver must commit another offense to be pulled over. A similar law against texting while driving went into effect at the start of this year. A violation runs drivers up $124.

Gillen said a few months ago he spotted a motorist swerving between lanes and suspected the person was driving under the influence, but after following the car he was able to determine that wasn’t the case.

“I see this right here,” he said, pulling out his own phone to demonstrate. He flipped it open and propped it against his steering wheel, mimicking a text.

“It’s a distraction. It takes your driving senses away,” Gillen said. Any phone interaction while driving is like reaching for a CD or a radio knob — it compromises defensive driving abilities.

So is it something officers see all that often?

“Definitely,” he said. “You’ll be amazed. It seems like we can’t live without them (cell phones) anymore.”

With the new law approaching, he said there has been an increase in hands-free usage, including Bluetooth devices and speakerphone functions.

“I think it’s going to be a good thing,” he said, adding he foresees a reduction in collisions, plenty of which can be partially attributed to cellular distractions. He said many violators are still simply out of the know, and could receive verbal warnings on the issue. A few good reasons for talking on the phone while driving still exist, including situations where time is of the essence or a family emergency is occurring, and officers will be understanding to a person’s needs, Gillen said.

Like seatbelts, which began as a secondary infraction and are now a primary violation, refraining from roadway phone gabbing must become routine.

“You can’t pick and choose when you’re going to be in a collision,” Gillen said.