The Colorado Department of State Patrol has reported a 19% decrease in crashes involving inattentive driving.
In the first five months of the year, Colorado State Patrol responded to 1,161 crashes involving inattentive driving, down from the 1,432 crashes during the same time in 2024.
As of January 1 this year, holding a cellphone or other mobile device while driving is illegal under the hands-free law – in a bid to reduce the number of crashes that involve inattentive or distracted drivers.
CDOT said five months after implementing the new hands-free law in Colorado, preliminary data has shown traffic deaths are down 11% from this time last year.
Since January, there have been 217 fatalities on Colorado roads.
“Summertime fun begins with safety behind the wheel,” said CDOT’s Office of Transportation Safety Director Darrell Lingk.
“Distracted driving puts you and other motorists at risk. Whether you’re headed to a pool party, Rockies game or Red Rocks concert, put your phone down and pay attention to the road. You could prevent a crash or serious injury on our roads.”
CDOT is urging all drivers to acquire hands-free accessories such as dashboard mounts and car speakerphone systems to comply with the new law.
