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News

Heads up, Colorado! Holding your phone while driving will be illegal in just over 2 months.

New state law effective, Jan. 1, 2025, aims to prevent distracted driving-related crashes

Posted on October 31, 2024 2024News and Events

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Information courtesy of the Colorado Department of Transportation:

Are you used to using your cell phone while driving? In a significant move to reduce distracted driving, Colorado will implement a new law beginning Jan. 1, 2025, that prohibits people from using a mobile electronic device while driving unless they use a hands-free accessory.

“This new legislation is a crucial step toward making Colorado’s roads safer for everyone,” said Shoshana Lew, executive director of CDOT.  “By encouraging drivers to focus solely on the task of driving, we can reduce the number of distracted driving incidents and prevent crashes that often come with such behavior. This law aligns with best practices from across the nation and reflects our commitment to protecting all road users, whether in a vehicle, on a bike or walking.”

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 stop them from using their phones. Studies show that using a mobile device while driving increases the risk of a crash by two to six times.

Distracted drivers pose a particularly high risk to vulnerable road users such as pedestrians and bicyclists. From 2015 to 2023, deaths among pedestrians and bicyclists increased by 50% and 112.5%, respectively, while Colorado’s population grew by less than 8% during the same period.

Read more about the new law and see FAQs on CDOTs webpage.

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