The use of a wireless headset while driving became mandatory in California and Washington on July 1, 2008. To help drivers safely maneuver the roads and abide the law, Capital Insurance Group (CIG) has launched a program by which its auto insurance policyholders can receive a Bluetooth headset gratis by recommending a friend.

Compatible with most cellular phones, the Bluetooth device features voice-activated dialing and background-noise reduction, among other capabilities. CIG auto policyholders also have the option of purchasing a unit at 50 percent below retail price.

CIG's announcement coincides with the release of a report that states California's hands-free driving law has exceeded lawmakers' original expectations. Last September, a ban on text messaging was added to the law, which imposes a $20 fine for a first offense and $50 fine for subsequent violations. According to the state's Department of Motor Vehicles, fatal traffic accidents fell by 13 percent overall between July 1 and Dec. 31, when compared to the same six-month window from the previous year. Overall, there were nearly 1.3 fewer traffic-related deaths per day during that same period than the year before. In June, California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger said he hoped the hands-free law would save 300 lives a year.