Reader: Are the Police Going to Enforce the Cell-Phone Law? They Aren't Enforcing Others!

Holding a cell phone while driving became illegal on January 1. Colorado politicians had been pushing for the law since the state banned texting and driving in 2009; they finally got it in 2024.

Penalties range from $75 and two license suspension points for the first offense to $250 and four points for three or more offenses. First-time violators can get the ticket dismissed if they show proof that they've purchased a hands-free accessory; there are also exceptions for parked vehicles and drivers using their phones during an emergency or to contact a public safety entity.

This regulation was just one of a slew that took effect on January 1, but it's the one that inspired the most comments in our Westword Facebook and Westword Instagram posts on the new Colorado laws. Says Mark:

Yay. More laws covering the same shit we already have laws for that aren’t being enforced! (Flavored tobacco? Enforce the existing law on age. Phones? Existing distracted driving law.) Seriously. Enforce what we have already…that expired plate from five years ago is a hell of a lot easier to see than someone on their phone.

Responds Samantha:

Ah yes, because skipping a YouTube ad or switching Google map routes with a one-second touch is our biggest road problem. Might as well make adjusting your heater, moving your window or sneezing while driving or at stoplights illegal. Then again, with this stupidity they probably would.
Please, it's 100x more distracting to have to look at your speedometer than that.

Adds Kathy:

I set my hubby up with a hands-free phone in our truck yesterday. He's a lot more likely to be distracted by fiddling with that than with just holding his phone to his ear.

Counters Jim:

It’s hard to avoid the potholes and bad roads if you’re looking at your phone.

Notes Brad:

It's for the idiots that hold their phone and are looking at it all the time while driving; you can adjust your maps if needed. You obviously didn't read the law: I'm an Uber driver and I see accidents all day long because people are holding their phone, talking on their phone, watching videos, etc. when all they'd have to do is put it in a phone holder or use the Bluetooth connection to the car if they have it.  Most do nowadays; it's stupid to be holding your phone and driving

Replies Magicmiles:

I’m sure the police will diligently enforce the cell phone law the way they do speeding and driving without license plates, registration, or working headlights around here

Adds Creighton:

Booo.This gives cops more leeway to pull over and harass innocent people. Distracted driving is bad, but this law clearly targets lower-income drivers who don’t have Bluetooth capabilities on their vehicles and use their phones for GPS, music, etc. Guess people should just stop being poor right? Not to mention them going 90mph while typing a license plate into their computers — double standard.

Concludes Snowcrieff:

Are the Denver Police going to follow the electronics law? Because I see those boys constantly accessing their phones and laptops while driving. No matter who, a Distracted Driver IS a Distracted Driver.

What do you think of the new law? Post a comment or share your thoughts at [email protected].