Motorist Cathy Hughes says she'll have to change her cellphone habits. (CBC)Wireless headsets and hands-free devices for cellphones are flying off store shelves in Prince Edward Island now that the province's ban on drivers using hand-held electronic devices took effect Saturday.

"Our phones have been ringing for the last week, wondering what we have in stock, what the law is, how they work," said Jennifer Collicutt, a sales associate at Future Shop in Charlottetown.

It is now illegal to use devices such as cellphones, smartphones, BlackBerrys, GPS devices and laptop computers while driving on the Island.

'The police services on the Island have determined that there will be a period of what we call soft enforcement.'—Charlottetown Deputy Chief Richard Collins

Drivers will have to pull off the highway and come to a full stop to talk on the phone, send text messages, or program their GPS.

Otherwise, they will face fines ranging from $250 to $400 and three demerit points.

"I do try to pull over, but sometimes I do answer a cellphone, so I'll have to completely stop doing that," said motorist Cathy Hughes.

Charlottetown police Deputy Chief Richard Collins says strict enforcement won't start right away. (CBC)But police won't be enforcing the law strictly at the beginning, said Charlottetown Deputy Chief Richard Collins.

"The police services on the Island have determined that there will be a period of what we call 'soft enforcement' where, for the most part — but not all — tickets written, necessarily, will be warnings," he said.

"That will unfold over a period of time, then we'll get into the strict enforcement after that."

The use of one-touch, hands-free devices will still be permitted, along with the use of two-way radios.

Drivers making 911 emergency calls won't be breaking the law.

Paramedics, police and fire crews are also exempt.

Seven provinces have now restricted cellphone use to hands-free devices.