A NEW law will come into force banning drivers from using their mobile phones or they will face fines.
O Colorado bill prohibits car owners from talking or using mobile devices while behind the wheel.
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Governor Jared Polis has already said he will sign Senate Bill 65 in law, local news publication The Colorado Sun reported.
Colorado’s current mobile device highway law prohibits an individual under 18 years of age from using a mobile electronic device when driving.
State law already prohibits drivers from texting or surfing the internet while driving.
But to issue a citation to a police officer under current law, the officer must see the person issuing the citation and also see if the person was also driving carelessly or recklessly.
The crackdown will come into effect on January 1, 2025.
Any driver caught talking or using a cell phone while driving will be fined $75 after the legislation comes into force next year.
They will also receive two points against their license if it is the first time they have been cited for the offense in the last two years.
For a first-time offender, the fine may be waived once if the driver demonstrates that they have a hands-free accessory or have proof of purchase of a hands-free accessory.
A driver who is cited for the second time within a two-year period will face a $150 fine and three points on their driving record.
That fine increases to $250 for anyone cited for the third time or later within a two-year period.
Anyone who is cited three times will also receive four points on their license, in addition to the fine.
If a driver is talking or using a cell phone and it is the “proximate cause” of an accident in which someone is injured or killed, they could be charged with a Class 1 misdemeanor traffic offense.
A Class 1 traffic misdemeanor is punishable by up to one year in jail and $1,000 in fines.
EXCEPTIONS FROM THE LAW
Of course, as with any rule, there are exceptions to the law.
Senate Bill 65
The Colorado bill bans car owners from talking or using mobile devices while driving.
When it comes into force:
- The crackdown will come into effect on January 1, 2025.
Who is exempt:
- An individual who reports an emergency to state or local authorities
- An employee or contractor of a dealership when responding to a dealership emergency
- An employee or contractor of a city or county who acts within the scope of the employee’s or contractor’s duties as a code enforcement officer or animal protection officer
- A rescuer
- An individual in a parked motor vehicle
SOURCE: Colorado General Assembly
Any driver who uses their phone in an emergency situation or to call first responders will be exempt.
Additionally, using your phone to browse will also not get someone the subject of a citation.
Anyone using the dictation or transcription function on their phone is also exempt from being considered a violator of the law.
Public employees or service providers are exempt, as are first responders and city or county employees.
This only occurs if they are talking or using the phone while driving as part of their official duties.
Anyone with a parked car is also exempt from being cited.
Drivers will not be cited unless an officer sees them using a mobile device in a “manner that caused the individual to drive in a careless and reckless manner,
“Without due consideration for the width, slope, curves, corners, traffic and use of streets and highways and all other attendant circumstances,” according to the project.
Additionally, an officer will have to see the phone in the driver’s hand or held against their ear to issue a citation.
This story originally appeared on The-sun.com read the full story
