As of January 1st, 2025, Colorado passed a law requiring, according to Colorado Public Radio, that people driving passenger vehicles to link their phone to the car’s communications system or install equipment like a bracket to hold the device, thus making it illegal for Colorado drivers to hold or touch their cellphones while they are operating a vehicle. This is the Hands-Free Law.
This new law expands the state’s existing distracted driving law, which prohibits texting or any manual data entry and transmission on a cellular device while driving.
If a driver is to violate this law, it would start with the penalty of a $75 fine and two license suspension points for the first offense. Repeat offenders face higher fines and more license suspension points. In the state of Colorado, if you are 21 years of age or older, you will face a suspension of your license if you accumulate 12 or more points in a year, according to the Shouse Law Group. The charge may be dismissed if the driver is a first-time violator and proof of purchasing a hands-free accessory is provided.
Hands-free accessories include, but are not limited to, phone mounts, Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, and built-in car speaker systems (Bluetooth). Phone mounts secure your phone in a visible, yet safe, position which allows the safe use of navigation systems without needing to juggle your phone while trying to steer a vehicle.
Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are both built-in systems that integrate your cell phone with your vehicle’s display, allowing you to control things on your phone using voice commands instead of your fingers. It’s common for cars to come equipped with Bluetooth-enabled speaker systems that allow hands-free communication and audio navigation. Using any of these devices will aid you in avoiding penalties, and keeping the roads of Colorado safe from distracted drivers.
One of the leading causes of crashes and fatalities in Colorado is distracted driving. Taking your focus away from the road at any time is extremely dangerous. This could include doing things such as eating, texting, talking on the phone or to a passenger, reading, etc. According to Codot.gov, “More than 90% of Colorado drivers self-report driving distracted. And we’re seeing that effect on our roads. In 2020, distracted drivers were involved in 10,166 crashes on Colorado’s roads, injuring 14,476 and killing 68.” This issue is unfortunately becoming normalized. It is too easy to often see a driver casually checking their phone whether it’s for notifications or to skip a song. Yet, still, looking away from the road just for the smallest amount of time could have a big impact on road safety.
A student at FMHS, Chrystina Morris, has an Apple Carplay installed in her vehicle, and she says “I love it, and it helps me stay off my phone while I drive.” She explains, “I can control my music and my maps through it. It’s nice because it sits right where I can see it, so I don’t have to worry about juggling my phone while driving.” Chrystina has had her Carplay since Christmas, and has used it ever since installing it the night she received it. This is a great example of hands-free driving.
It is extremely important to follow the laws of the road, to keep yourself and other drivers safe and comfortable. Educating yourself on your state’s driving/road laws should be a priority when driving, or learning to.