Colorado Hands-Free Law

Every day in America, nine people die and 890 are injured in crashes involving distracted drivers. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), distracted driving claimed 3,275 lives and injured 324,819 people in 2023 alone. These aren’t just statistics—they represent families torn apart, futures cut short, and communities forever changed by preventable tragedies.

While Colorado’s new hands-free law (Senate Bill 24-065) provides important legal framework for safer driving, the real motivation for change must come from understanding the devastating human cost of distracted driving. The law serves as a catalyst, but lasting safety requires each of us to recognize the hidden dangers that lurk every time we take our attention off the road.

The True Scope of Distracted Driving

Distracted driving encompasses far more than texting behind the wheel. The NHTSA defines it as any activity that diverts attention from driving, and research reveals three critical categories of distraction:

Visual Distractions

When drivers take their eyes off the road to:

• Look at phones, tablets, or GPS devices
• Check themselves in mirrors or apply makeup
• Search for items in the car
• Watch other vehicles, scenery, or roadside activities

Manual Distractions

When drivers remove their hands from the steering wheel to:

• Hold phones for calls or texting
• Eat meals or drink beverages
• Adjust radio controls or climate settings
• Reach for objects or pets

Cognitive Distractions

When drivers’ minds focus on activities other than driving:

• Deep conversations with passengers
• Emotional distress or daydreaming
• Complex problem-solving or work thoughts
• Mental rehearsal of upcoming events

The most alarming finding: When a person reads a text while driving, their eyes are off the road for an average of five seconds. At 55 mph, that’s equivalent to driving the entire length of a football field while blindfolded. Even the most skilled drivers cannot safely navigate that distance without seeing the road ahead.

The Devastating Impact on Teen Drivers

Young drivers face disproportionate risks from distracted driving, making education and prevention critical for Colorado families. The statistics paint a sobering picture:

• Teen drivers are involved in more than 5,000 accidents per 100,000 drivers, compared to just 500 per 100,000 for experienced adults
• Cell phone use accounts for 12% of teen crashes, while interacting with passengers causes 15%
• When distracted, teens have reaction times similar to 70-year-olds
• Nearly 6 out of 10 moderate-to-severe teen crashes involve distraction as a contributing factor

Colorado’s Strict Rules for Young Drivers

Colorado law recognizes these heightened risks with specific restrictions for drivers under 18:

• Complete cellphone ban: Teen drivers cannot use phones for any purpose while driving, except emergencies
• Passenger restrictions: Newly licensed teens face limits on young passengers to reduce social distractions
• Curfew requirements: Nighttime driving restrictions when fatigue compounds distraction risks

The Science Behind Teen Vulnerability

Research reveals why teenagers are particularly susceptible to distracted driving crashes:

1. Developing brain function: The prefrontal cortex, responsible for decision-making and risk assessment, isn’t fully developed until age 25
2. Limited driving experience: Teens lack the automatic responses that help experienced drivers handle unexpected situations
3. Social pressure: The desire to stay connected with friends often overrides safety considerations
4. Overconfidence: Many teens believe they can multitask effectively while driving, despite evidence to the contrary

Real Stories, Real Consequences

The human impact of distracted driving extends far beyond statistics. These real experiences from our Colorado community illustrate why every moment of attention matters:

“I never thought it would happen to me. I was just responding to what I thought was an urgent work text when I rear-ended the car in front of me at a stoplight. Thankfully, no one was seriously hurt, but the $4,000 in damages, insurance rate increase, and the guilt taught me that no message is worth the risk. I now put my phone in the trunk when I drive.” – Anonymous Mile High Driver Training graduate

“My 17-year-old daughter started using a phone mount and Bluetooth after taking her driver’s ed class. She told me it feels weird now to even think about holding her phone while driving. Seeing her develop those habits early gives me so much peace of mind.” – Parent from Lakewood

“As a parent who lost a child to a distracted driver, I can’t stress enough how important it is to take this seriously. One second of looking away changed our family forever. Please, put the phone down.” – Colorado traffic safety advocate

These experiences highlight why developing safe driving habits isn’t just about avoiding tickets—it’s about protecting the people we love most.

Comprehensive Safety Strategies Beyond the Law

Creating truly safe driving habits requires more than legal compliance. Here are evidence-based strategies for Colorado families:

Before Every Drive

1. Complete your setup ritual: Adjust seats, mirrors, climate controls, and navigation before starting the engine
2. Secure distractions: Store loose items, food, and anything that might roll around and tempt you to reach
3. Plan your route: Check traffic conditions and identify potential stops or route changes
4. Set communication boundaries: Let people know when you’ll be driving and when you’ll respond to messages
5. Practice the “phone in trunk” method: For new drivers, physical separation eliminates temptation entirely

During Your Drive

1. Actively scan the road: Make conscious efforts to check mirrors, scan intersections, and watch for pedestrians and cyclists
2. Use the two-second rule: Maintain safe following distances that account for delayed reaction times
3. Engage passengers productively: Ask co-pilots to handle navigation, music, and communications
4. Recognize cognitive overload: If you’re emotionally upset or mentally preoccupied, consider delaying your trip
5. Pull over for urgent matters: Find safe places to stop completely rather than attempting to multitask

For Parents and Families

1. Model perfect behavior: Your driving habits directly influence your children’s future choices behind the wheel
2. Create family driving agreements: Establish clear rules about device use, passenger behavior, and emergency procedures
3. Practice graduated exposure: Help teens build experience with distractions gradually in safe environments
4. Maintain open communication: Let children know they can always call for a ride rather than drive distracted or impaired
5. Celebrate good choices: Recognize and reinforce safe driving decisions when you observe them

Leveraging Technology for Safety

Modern technology offers powerful tools to support safe driving habits when used appropriately:

Smart Vehicle Integration

• Apple CarPlay and Android Auto: Provide voice-controlled access to navigation, music, and communication
• Built-in Bluetooth systems: Enable hands-free calling without requiring additional devices
• Voice assistants: Allow drivers to send messages, make calls, and control vehicle functions through speech
• Head-up displays: Project navigation and vehicle information onto windshields to minimize eye movement

Smartphone Safety Features

• Do Not Disturb While Driving: Automatically silences notifications and sends auto-replies
• Voice-to-text capabilities: Allow message composition without manual typing
• Driving mode apps: Simplify interfaces and limit available functions while moving
• Emergency bypass options: Ensure critical calls can still reach you in true emergencies

Aftermarket Solutions

• Quality phone mounts: Keep devices visible for navigation while maintaining hands-free operation
• Bluetooth adapters: Add wireless connectivity to older vehicles
• Dash cameras: Provide evidence in case of accidents and encourage careful driving
• Speed monitoring apps: Help drivers maintain appropriate speeds and avoid aggressive driving

Creating a Culture of Safety

Individual behavior change is essential, but lasting impact requires broader cultural shifts in how we view distracted driving:

Making It Socially Unacceptable

Just as drunk driving became stigmatized through sustained effort, we must make distracted driving equally unacceptable:

• Speak up as passengers: Politely ask drivers to focus on the road when you observe distracted behavior
• Share your commitment: Tell friends and family about your decision to drive distraction-free
• Support workplace policies: Encourage employers to establish clear expectations about not responding to work communications while driving
• Lead by example: Demonstrate that staying connected isn’t worth risking lives

Community-Wide Solutions

• School programs: Support comprehensive driver education that emphasizes distraction prevention
• Employer initiatives: Advocate for company policies that discourage work-related driving distractions
• Technology partnerships: Encourage development of better hands-free solutions and automatic safety features
• Public awareness campaigns: Participate in local efforts to educate drivers about distraction risks

Your Role in Colorado Road Safety

Every Colorado driver has the power to save lives by choosing focus over convenience. The research is clear: no text, call, or notification is worth the devastating consequences of a distracted driving crash.

Start with small changes that build into lifelong habits:

• Commit to hands-free driving for one week and notice how it becomes natural
• Practice voice commands until they replace the urge to manually operate devices
• Teach children that driving time is focus time, with no exceptions
• Support friends and family members in making similar commitments

Remember that developing safe driving habits is an ongoing process, not a one-time decision. Each drive offers an opportunity to reinforce good choices and resist dangerous distractions.

The stakes couldn’t be higher. Beyond avoiding legal penalties, your attention behind the wheel protects your family, your community, and your own future. In a world filled with distractions, choosing to focus while driving is one of the most important decisions you can make every single day.

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Mile High Driver Training is a family-owned business that has been serving Colorado families since 2006, with locations in Denver, Northglenn, and Lakewood. We believe that comprehensive driver education goes beyond passing tests—it’s about developing lifelong habits that protect lives. Our experienced instructors emphasize real-world safety skills, including distraction prevention, defensive driving, and hazard recognition. Contact us at (303) 922-1000 to learn how we can help your family develop safe driving habits that last a lifetime.