In the name of distracted driving, what's the wildest thing that you've personally witnessed on the road? Me, I've seen people eating, people scrolling Instagram, people doing makeup (seriously, aren't you afraid you'll stab your eye with that mascara wand?), and more. My partner almost got hit by a kid who was scrolling sneakers on Facebook Marketplace a couple of weeks ago, and who rolled right through a stop sign and nearly took him out.
If many (or any) of your most memorable distracted driving stories involve drivers manually using their phones behind the wheel, I have good news for you if you're in Colorado. Beginning on January 1, 2025, the Centennial State is making hands-free devices for cell phones mandatory for nearly all phone use behind the wheel.
Why "nearly all"? If you're a regular driver, and you're driving a regular car or truck, you won't legally be allowed to use your phone while driving without a hands-free device. If you do, you'll face a fine and possible points on your license. However, this new expansion of the state's existing cell phone driving law doesn't apply to drivers of commercial vehicles, hence the "nearly all."
This isn't only about texting anymore, either. It's about any hand-held phone use while behind the wheel, whether it's calling someone, navigation, finding music to stream, or anything else. According to the Colorado Department of Transportation, penalties start with a $75 fine and two license suspension points on your first offense. Repeat offenders will get both higher fines and more suspension points, though specifics of either of these things aren't spelled out in detail.
While there won't be a grace period to allow drivers to adjust to this new rule, CoDOT says that first-time violators will be eligible to have the charges dismissed on their first violation if they can provide proof of purchasing a hands-free phone accessory so they don't do it again. And no, simply putting your phone on speaker but continuing to hold it in your hands does not count.
Additionally, Colorado doesn't allow drivers to use headphones or earbuds while driving, since they can interfere with your ability to hear important warning notices, like emergency sirens. The CoDOT also lists answers to a number of other frequently asked questions on its dedicated page about the new law, including a specific stipulation that you also cannot legally use your phone with your hands while you're at a stoplight or stopped in traffic.
Acceptable hands-free accessories that CoDOT recommends using include: dashboard or other phone mounts, Apple CarPlay or Android Auto, and even your phone's Bluetooth paired with your car's infotainment system, so you can make and receive calls or use other audio features (like streaming music or listening to text messages) via your car's speakers.
There are some exceptions, such as in the case of an emergency. If your car is parked, you're also fine to use a phone with your hands. But the car must be parked, not just stopped in traffic.
Will this help make Colorado roads safer for all road users, including motorcyclists? Most likely, if people abide by the new law. And we certainly hope that it does. No one wants more people to be killed or injured on roads, in Colorado and beyond, so here's hoping.
