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DRIVERS have just weeks to go until a new law clamping down on a common offense is brought in, with offenders facing $75 fines and two license points.
From the start of 2025, drivers will be banned from holding their phones while driving in Colorado.
A new driving law is coming into place in Colorado on January 1[/caption]
But police will not be able to issue citations until certain conditions have been met.
The Mobile Electronic Devices & Motor Vehicle Driving law will take effect from January 1 in the Centennial State.
Drivers will be issued tickets, but only if the violation is a secondary offense.
This means that the citation will be issued if the driver is holding their phone while committing a primary traffic offense.
Primary traffic offenses include dangerous actions such as running a red light, speeding, or reckless driving.
Hands-free phone use will still be allowed under the law, but holding a phone while the vehicle is moving will be banned,
There are two specific exceptions for first responders at work, and for drivers who have to report an emergency to 911.
Drivers will face $75 fines and two points on their license for a first offense.
Under the law, people will be able to avoid penalties by taking a receipt to a judge showing they took actions to curb their behavior.
These would include proof they purchased a hands-free accessory such as a dash mount.
“We know that just glancing at your phone for five seconds at highway speed is like driving blindfolded the entire length of a football field,” Skyler McKinley with AAA Colorado told local NBC affiliate 9News.
“So this is going to be a great bill that hopefully Coloradans abide by.”
More than three-quarters of drivers in Colorado have admitted to using their cellphone while driving, according to the state’s Department of Transportation.
COLORADO HANDS-FREE LAW
FROM next month, a new law will be on the books in Colorado:
In a move to enhance road safety and reduce distracted driving crashes, a new Colorado law will go into effect on Jan. 1, 2025, that prohibits drivers from using a mobile electronic device while driving, though hands-free accessories are permitted. The new law expands the ban on using cellphones beyond just texting. It now includes holding or manually using a phone or other mobile device for voice calls or any other reason, requiring all drivers to use a hands-free device.
Penalties for violating the law start with a $75 fine and two license suspension points for the first offense. Repeat offenders face higher fines and more license points. First-time violators can have the charge dismissed if they provide proof of purchasing a hands-free accessory. Hands-free accessories include Bluetooth headsets, dashboard mounts, CarPlay and Android auto and car speaker phone systems.
The law includes exemptions for individuals reporting emergencies, utility workers, code enforcement officers, animal protection officers, first responders and individuals in parked vehicles. The law also does not apply to an individual with a commercial driver’s license operating a commercial vehicle. These exceptions ensure that critical communications are not hindered in emergency or essential service situations.
Source: Colorado DOT
The state recommends the following hands-free accessories to help drivers to focus on the road while still connected to their phones.
These include dashboard or phone mounts, which secure ones phone in a visible but safe position, allowing the use of navigation or hands-free calls without holding the device.
Built-in or aftermarket systems such as Apple CarPlay or Android Auto can integrate your smartphone with your vehicle’s display.
This allows you to control your phone through voice commands on your car’s interface.
Alternatively, you can use built-in car speaker systems such as Bluetooth-enabled speaker systems allowing hands-free communication and audio navigation.
For cars that don’t have Bluetooth, there are plug-in devices available for purchase which enable the feature through your vehicle’s existing stereo system.
The Colorado DOT has put together a sheet on the new law.
