(The Center Square) – A new, hands-free driving law will take effect in Colorado at the start of the new year.
Beginning on Jan. 1, 2025, Colorado drivers will no longer be allowed to use a mobile electronic device while driving unless they use it via hands-free accessories.
“This new legislation is a crucial step toward making Colorado’s roads safer for everyone,” Shoshana Lew, executive director of CDOT, said in a news release. “By encouraging drivers to focus solely on the task of driving, we can reduce the number of distracted driving incidents and prevent crashes that often come with such behavior. This law aligns with best practices from across the nation and reflects our commitment to protecting all road users, whether in a vehicle, on a bike, or walking.”
Colorado has a law against texting and driving, but this new law expands the rule to include manually using a phone or any other mobile device for a phone call or any other reason.
First-time offenders will face a $75 fine and two license suspension points, while repeat offenders will face stiffer penalties.
The law offers some exemptions. Those include, “reporting emergencies, utility workers, code enforcement officers, animal protection officers, first responders and individuals in parked vehicles,” according to the Colorado Department of Transportation.
Additionally, people driving a commercial vehicle with a commercial driver’s license are exempt from the law.
The Colorado Department of Transportation says many car crashes are preventable, and mitigating distracted driving is one way to reduce instances of it.
“For a long time, troopers have been able to detect when someone is driving distracted by a vehicle weaving between lanes, delayed starts at stop signs and lights, not to mention seeing a phone or other device in a driver’s hand,” Col. Matthew Packard, chief of the Colorado State Patrol, said in the release. “This legislation allows us to address risky and careless behaviors in a proactive way to increase the safety of all roadway users.”
Here are the hands-free devices the Colorado Department of Transportation says the new law will permit:
Dashboard/Phone Mounts: These secure your phone in a visible but safe position, enabling the use of navigation or hands-free calls without holding the device.Apple CarPlay/Android Auto: Built-in or aftermarket systems that integrate your smartphone with your vehicle’s display, allowing you to control your phone through voice commands or your car’s interface.Built-in Car Speaker Systems: Many cars come equipped with Bluetooth-enabled speaker systems that allow hands-free communication and audio navigation. If your car does not have Bluetooth, there are plug-in devices for purchase that enable the feature through your vehicle’s existing stereo system.
Governor Jared Polis signed this policy into law in June 2024. The legislation, Senate Bill 65, passed in both chambers with overwhelming bipartisan support.
When this law takes effect, 30 states will have bans on using hand-held devices while driving.
