Make our school zones safer: Follow Colorado’s new hands-free driving law

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BVSD asks families, students, staff and our surrounding community to protect everyone—especially in school zones—by keeping our phones out of our hands and our focus on the road.

To make our roads safer and reduce distracted driving crashes, Colorado’s new hands-free driving law went into effect on January 1, 2025. This law prohibits drivers from using handheld electronic devices while driving, including at stoplights. Hands-free accessories like dashboard mounts or built-in speaker systems are required for any mobile device use.

Did you know?

• 77% of Colorado drivers admit to using their phones while driving.
• Using a mobile device behind the wheel increases crash risk by 2 to 6 times.

Colorado now joins 29 other states with hands-free driving laws, working to prevent crashes and save lives.

The Colorado Department of Transportation provides answers to frequently asked questions about the new law:
(Colorado Hands-Free Law: The facts about the new cellphone ban while driving)

Does putting my phone on speaker count?
A driver may not hold or handle their cell phone at any time while driving. Only hands-free calls are permitted. Handling the phone to initiate a call must be done before entering the roadway. No touching or handling of cell phones while driving is permitted, including while stopped at traffic signals.

Can I use headphones while driving? What about putting my phone in a cupholder for navigation or pinning it between my shoulder and ear?

• Headphones – In Colorado, it is illegal to drive with headphones or earbuds in both ears, as it can impair your ability to hear important sounds, such as sirens or horns.
• Cupholders – Putting your phone in the cupholder while using it for navigating is not recommended. A cup holder does not securely cradle the phone, meaning it could easily fall or fly out with sudden braking or sharp turns. This creates an added distraction of picking up a phone that has fallen to the floor of the vehicle.
• Holding phone to ear – This is a violation. Your phone cannot be in your hands, held to your ear, or pinned between your ear and shoulder while driving.

Can I use my phone when I’m at a stoplight or in a traffic jam?
No. The law still applies, even if you are stopped in traffic or at a stoplight.

Does the law apply to using GPS apps or navigation on my phone?
Yes, the law applies to all phone use while driving, including using GPS apps. You must use a hands-free accessory or have the phone mounted in a secure manner to avoid a citation.

Are there any exceptions to the law?
The law includes exemptions for individuals reporting emergencies, utility workers, code enforcement officers, animal protection officers, first responders, and individuals in parked vehicles.

What is the penalty for violating the law?
Penalties for violating the law start with a $75 fine and two license suspension points for the first offense. Repeat offenders face higher fines and more license points. First-time violators can have the charge dismissed if they provide proof of purchasing a hands-free accessory.

How is this law enforced?
Law enforcement can pull over drivers if an officer witnesses an individual driving carelessly or imprudently while holding a device. Some examples are a driver holding a cellphone while driving through a construction zone or looking at a phone while traveling 75 mph on a highway.

Will there be a grace period in which only warnings are given?
No, but fines for the first offense will be waived if proof of purchasing a hands-free accessory is provided.

Doesn’t Colorado already have a law like this?
Yes. The new law expands upon Colorado’s existing distracted driving law, which already prohibits texting or any manual data entry and transmission on a cell phone while driving. Beginning in 2025, drivers will also be prohibited from holding or manually using a cell phone for voice calls, watching videos or any other purpose unless they are using a hands-free accessory. In short, avoid holding your phone for any reason while driving.

Learn more about the Colorado hands-free law on the Department of Transportation safety webpage.