(COLORADO SPRINGS) — From 2015 to 2023, bicyclist deaths in Colorado increased by 112.5%. In that same time period, pedestrian deaths increased by 50%. Colorado’s Department of Transportation (CDOT) says the increase is connected to distracted driving.
In an effort to reduce those numbers, a new “hands-free” law will take effect across the state starting Jan. 1, 2025. The law prohibits holding your phone while driving.
While drivers won’t be allowed to manually use a phone, hands-free accessories like Apple Car Play or Bluetooth headsets are permitted.
In CDOT’s 2024 Driver Behavior Report, 77% of Colorado drivers said they use their phones behind the wheel.
Colorado State Trooper Sherri Mendez says it’s hard to tell the difference between someone driving under the influence, and someone driving distracted. She said in both cases, drivers swerve and don’t follow the speed limit among other things. She sees people using their phones pretty frequently and says it’s alarming.
“You can see them weaving and you think, are they drunk driving or what? Why would you be driving like that? And most likely they’re on their cell phone,” said Mendez.
CDOT says studies show that using a mobile device while driving increases the risk of a crash by two to six times. The department hopes Colorado follows in the footsteps of Michigan, where a 2023 hands-free law resulted in a 12.8% decrease in distracted driving crashes in the first year alone.
Starting this January, first-time offenders of the new law will face a $75 fine and two license suspension points. However, the first charge can be dismissed if you have proof of purchase for a hands-free accessory. Repeated offenders can expect higher fines and more license suspension points.
The new law includes a few exceptions, like reporting emergencies, utility workers, code enforcement officers, animal protection officers, first responders, and individuals in parked vehicles. However, CDOT says being stopped at a red light is not an excuse to pull your phone out.
“The law also forbids using your phone at a stoplight because we all see that car up there, that’s just sitting there at the green light… It is unsafe because it means you look up and you go, without seeing if there’s pedestrians or bicyclists in the intersection,” said Sam Cole, a Traffic Safety Manager at CDOT, “Now you have to put down your phone and use Apple CarPlay, (or) use Android Auto, or even just put a mount on your dash and put your phone there.”
CDOT says starting in January, Colorado will be one of 30 states in the country with a ban on using hand-held devices while driving.
