Motorists will need to take an extra precaution while driving on the Navy base — turn off your hand-held cell phones.

A new restriction prohibiting the use of cell phones by drivers when the vehicle is under way took effect Wednesday.

Recent national studies have concluded that cell phone usage while driving is an impairment and a distraction. The Department of the Navy, in trying to stem the tide of vehicle accidents, enacted restrictions on all of its facilities this month.

“We just really want to keep everyone safe and this policy will help keep people focused on the task at hand. It really comes down to paying attention to what you’re doing and focusing on driving,” said Darrilyn Cranney, Navy Northwest Region safety manager.

Locally the new regulation extends to Whidbey Island Naval Air Station’s Ault Field, the Seaplane Base and commissary area, as well as military housing.

Drivers of non-government vehicles can still utilize “hands-free” speaker cell phone equipment while driving but not in government paid rental cars.

Security Police Officer Jose M. Romero cautions that “the new policy extends to anyone who drives on base … active duty, families, civilians and visitors” and adds, “The goal is compliance.”

Initially the new policy will be phased in through public education. Later there will be traffic stops by security police to advise and give written warnings to those who are in violation of the new regulation.

Ultimately, the policy can lead to citations and punitive action under military law. Drivers are strongly urged to comply now by using the safe practice of pulling off of the road to take incoming calls.

The Navy’s new policy reflects a growing recognition of the dangers of “driving while yakking.”

Connecticut, New Jersey and Washington D.C. have passed bans on cell phone use while driving. Five other states allow localities to enact restrictions and eleven more states have some laws banning certain cell phone usage. Similar laws may soon affect drivers all over Washington State.

Legislation has already been introduced. Sen. Tracey Eide, D-Auburn, has been pursuing the issue since 1998 and is currently trying to see passage of Senate Bill 5160, which would make driving while using a hand-held cell phone illegal.

The idea has many supporters and could easily gain momentum. In a 2004 survey of over 4,475 Washington residents, 76.7 percent of those asked said that they think cell phone use should be restricted while driving.

The Legislature took no action this year, but did require the State Patrol to specifically cite accidents in which cell phone use was a contributing factor. This effort started in January, and the resulting numbers may be used next year to promote SB 5160 when the Legislature meets again.

Whatever the outcome, for now, NAS Whidbey will see the ban put into practice. If it works as anticipated, there will soon be a decline in accidents involving cell phone distracted drivers.