Drivers should better prepare for a law that bans the use of cell phones while driving

Drivers in Colorado are facing a new law that prohibits them from using a mobile electronic device — including a cell phone — while driving unless they use a hands-free device.

According to the Colorado Department of Transportation, penalties for violating the ban include a $75 fine and license revocation points.

To prepare motorists for the new law, which takes effect January 1, 2025, CDOT is launching an awareness campaign over the next few months to ensure all Coloradans are informed about the law and best practices. According to a CDOT news release, the campaign will include outreach through social media, paid advertising and engagement with key stakeholders.

The goal of the new law is to reduce distracted driving in Colorado. Studies have shown that using a mobile device while driving increases the risk of an accident by two to six times, according to CDOT.

“This new legislation is a critical step in making Colorado’s roads safer for everyone,” CDOT Executive Director Shoshana Lew said in the release.

“By encouraging drivers to focus solely on the task of driving, we can reduce the number of distracted driving incidents and prevent the accidents that often accompany such behavior,” explains Lew. “This law is consistent with best practices from across the country and reflects our commitment to protecting all road users, whether in a vehicle, on a bicycle or on foot.”

According to CDOT's 2024 Driver Behavior Report, 77% of Colorado drivers admitted to using their phones while driving, with 45% saying a hands-free feature in their car would prevent them from using their phones.

Distracted drivers pose a particularly high risk to vulnerable road users such as pedestrians and cyclists. From 2015 to 2023, pedestrian and cyclist deaths increased by 50% and 112.5%, respectively, while Colorado's population grew by less than 8% over the same period , says the press release.

Colorado joins 29 other states in banning the use of portable mobile devices while driving. States with similar laws have reported a decrease in distracted driving accidents. In Michigan, a 2023 law banning the use of portable cell phones led to a 12.8% decrease in distracted driving accidents within the first year, the release said.

Penalties for violating the new law start with a $75 fine and two license revocation points for the first offense. For a first-time offense, the charge can be dismissed if proof of purchase of a hands-free device is provided. According to CDOT, repeat offenders face higher fines and more driver's license suspension points.

“For a long time, police officers have been able to detect when someone is driving distracted because of a vehicle weaving between lanes, delayed starts at stop signs and traffic lights, not to mention that they have a phone or other device in their hand of a driver,” Colorado State Patrol Chief Col. Matthew Packard said in the news release. “This legislation allows us to proactively address risky and careless behavior to increase the safety of all road users.”

As the January 2025 deadline approaches, CDOT urges all drivers to put their phones away while driving to ensure they are prepared when the law goes into effect, the release said. Motorists are being urged to purchase hands-free accessories such as dashboard mounts and car kits to comply with the new legislation.

The law provides exceptions for people reporting emergencies, utility workers, code enforcement, animal control officers, first responders and people in parked vehicles. These exceptions ensure that critical communications are not hindered in emergencies or essential service situations, the release said.

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