Colorado Driver Alert: Ban on handheld phones coming in 2025

A new “hands-free” law is set to kick in across Colorado on January 1, 2025, aimed at cutting down on distracted driving. This law makes it illegal to hold your phone while driving, but you can still use hands-free options like Apple Car Play or Bluetooth headsets.

Sam Cole, a Traffic Safety Manager at CDOT, pointed out that distracted driving can increase your chances of a crash by two to six times. In Colorado, around 50 to 60 people lose their lives each year due to distracted driving.

From 2015 to 2023, deaths among bicyclists in Colorado shot up by 112.5%, while pedestrian fatalities rose by 50%. CDOT links these increases to distracted driving. According to CDOT’s 2024 Driver Behavior Report, 77% of drivers in Colorado admitted to using their phones while driving.

When the law goes into effect, first-time offenders will face a $75 fine and two points on their license.

However, if you can show proof of buying a hands-free device, the first charge can be dismissed. Repeat offenders will face steeper fines and more points on their license. Starting in January, Colorado will join 29 other states in banning the use of hand-held devices while driving.

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