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Monday, Dec. 16, 2024

Can you be ticketed for driving with a phone in your hand under a new Colorado law?


yes

Colorado’s new hands-free law will prohibit drivers from holding a mobile device while driving beginning Jan. 1, with some exceptions. Using a phone with a hands-free accessory, such as a phone mount or in-car speaker system, is allowed. 

A law enforcement officer must see a driver engage in careless driving while holding a phone to issue a citation. Repeated offenses may incur steeper fines and license suspension points. The ban applies even when drivers are stopped in traffic or at a red light.

Previously, the hands-free law applied only to drivers younger than 18. The new law also prohibits holding a phone while making calls, checking directions, watching videos and any other in-hand use.  Texting while driving is already prohibited in Colorado.

A Colorado Department of Transportation survey in 2024 revealed that 77% of drivers reported using a phone while driving. 

Twenty-nine other states ban hand-held mobile device use when driving. 

See a full discussion of this at The Colorado Sun

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The Colorado Sun is a journalist-founded, award-winning and nonprofit news outlet based in Denver that strives to cover all of Colorado so that our state — our community — can better understand itself. In this way, we believe we can contribute to a more vibrant, informed and whole Colorado. We are committed to fact-based, in-depth and nonpartisan journalism. We cover everything from politics and culture to the outdoor industry and education. Our goal is to produce the best possible journalism. We do that with the help of you, our readers, and community backers. We launched on Sept. 10, 2018.

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