One of the 18 new laws that go into effect today concerns the use of mobile electronic devices while driving (Herald, Dec. 27).
In an effort to improve road safety and reduce accidents caused by distracted driving, the state Legislature has expanded a current law banning texting while driving to now include no hand-held devices. Hands-free accessories are still legal, as is operating a device by hand in a parked car. Stationary phones on “speaker” and one of two earbuds may be used.
One may no longer hold their phone, or cradle the phone between their head and shoulder, for calls or any other reason while driving, including at a stop light or sign. No more fumbling with the map or any other app, with the use of one’s hand.
The Herald’s editorial board strongly endorses this restriction, and might like to see it taken a step further – no calls whatsoever no matter the means. Even if the phone isn’t in your hand, a conversation is still distracting.
And couldn’t we all use more than a few distraction-free moments in our day when we just, go figure, focus on the task at hand – driving!
Distracted driving via phones has introduced a new and sometimes deadly mix into the distracted driving world. According to the Colorado Department of Transportation’s 2024 Driving Behavior Survey, at 73%, eating and drinking topped the list for Colorado drivers, while at 65% talking on a hands-free phone took second.
The updated law will likely affect those with older vehicles most because dashboards with cassette tape and CD players dominate digital displays and bluetooth speakers found in newer cars. It’s no surprise that the CDOT report indicated that 45% of the 77% who hold their phone while driving said that having a hands-free feature would get them to stop.
This is where personal freedom and responsibility meet community safety. Will local law enforcement see a decline in careless driving in 2025? We can only hope.
