Colorado Hands-Free Law Starts Jan 1—Avoid $75 Fines Now

With all the excitement of the holidays in Grand Junction and the fun of ringing in the New Year, how on Earth is anyone supposed to remember an important law change that will take effect on January 1st?

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Colorado's new Mobile Electronic Devices & Motor Vehicle Driving law will take effect on New Year's Day. Keep reading to learn how this new law changes what you can and can't do with a smartphone while driving, and the fines associated with any violations.

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Colorado's New Hands-Free Law

Colorado's Mobile Electronic Devices & Motor Vehicle Driving law updates the current law prohibiting anyone under 18 from using a wireless telephone when driving. Beginning January 1st, 2025, the law will apply to anyone in Colorado who is 18 years of age or older and updates "wireless telephone" to "mobile electronic device."

A Violation of the Act

To get around the new hands-free law simply pull over if you want to pick up your phone and use it. It is not a violation to hold a phone and use it when your vehicle is a rest on a shoulder or lawfully parked.

For an officer to cite you for violating the act they must see an individual using a mobile electronic device and cite how it caused you to drive carelessly or dangerously.

• First Offense: $75 fine, 2 license suspension points.
• Second Offense (within 24 months): $150 fine, 3 license suspension points.
• Third Offense (within 24 months): $250 fine and 4 license suspension points.

Read More: 6 Reasons Drivers Flash Their Headlights at You in Colorado

Exceptions to the Rule

Exceptions to the new Mobile Electronic Devices & Motor Vehicle Driving law will include any individual who is using a phone due to a legitimate emergency. Employees or contractors of a utility responding to an emergency are also exempt, as are city or county employees performing code enforcement duties or animal protection. First responders are also exempt.