Brandi Crab said she was about to call work yesterday morning to say she was running late, but stopped short when she remembered the city's new cell phone ban had just taken effect.

She later stopped in a Downtown T-Mobile store to buy a hands-free device so she can keep in touch with contacts as she plans a party.

"I don't want to have to pull over to the side (of the road)," said Crab, 34. "I think this way will be convenient."

Yesterday marked the first day of the city ordinance, which forbids drivers from holding cell phones and other portable electronic devices in their vehicles with the engine running. Drivers may use hands-free devices, such as Bluetooth headsets .

Honolulu police have announced that there would be no grace period. Two officers on foot Downtown said they issued a ticket to a driver yesterday who was violating the law.

The Honolulu Police Department said it would announce this morning how many citations officers issued on the first day of the ban.

Some Honolulu stores said sales of the hands-free Bluetooth devices have been soaring in recent days.

"There was a rush," said T-Mobile store manager Landon James, who said customers had all sorts of questions in making sure they knew how to use their device and that it complied with the law. "Nobody wants to get a ticket."

Tom Kanda, a Verizon Wireless store manager, said his Downtown store has seen a steady buildup of customers over the past three weeks. Yesterday at lunchtime the store was filled with people looking for a Bluetooth device to use on their way home.

"They were asking what exactly the law said, and which one would be more comfortable for driving," Kanda said.

Teri Yanagi said she got out a Bluetooth device that she hasn't used in a year so she could talk on the phone during her drive to work.

"What with all the cops in Chinatown, I didn't want to risk it," she said.

Crab still had questions about the law, such as if the devices had to be wireless and if iPods were included. (Devices do not have to be wireless as long as they're hands-free, and drivers cannot scroll through their iPods while their engines are running.)

Jeffrey Wong, 56, said he made a call to a client yesterday morning, and that the man mentioned he was on his cell phone and had to pull over.

"So there is that tension," Wong said, pointing out that his client seemed to take the law seriously.

Reach Katie Urbaszewski at curbaszews@honoluluadvertiser.com or 525-8048.