Distracted Driving Crackdown Leads to More Enforcement—and More Lives Saved
Colorado’s crackdown on distracted driving is officially underway—and the results are already making headlines. Since the new hands-free law took effect on January 1, 2025, law enforcement has issued a staggering 135% more citations for drivers caught using their phones behind the wheel. The message is clear: if you’re texting, scrolling, or even just holding your phone while driving, expect to be pulled over.
For Colorado Springs drivers, the risks go beyond tickets. Distracted driving crashes are on the rise across El Paso County and beyond. If you’ve been hit by someone who wasn’t paying attention, you’re not alone—and you have the right to take legal action.
Why the Surge in Citations Matters
The Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) reported 94 tickets issued in just the first few months of 2025 under the new law. That’s more than double compared to the same time last year. And it’s not just about enforcement—this uptick reflects a deeper issue on Colorado roads.
Distracted driving contributes to around 10,000 crashes and 70 deaths every year in the state. That’s 70 lives cut short because someone couldn’t wait to check a message. El Paso County, home to Colorado Springs, is one of the worst offenders.
But here’s the upside: the new law is already working. According to CDOT, there’s been a 3.3% reduction in phone use since January, which may have helped prevent at least 88 crashes and 49 injuries so far this year.
Colorado’s Texting and Driving Law: What Drivers Need to Know
The new hands-free law isn’t just a recommendation—it’s a legally enforceable rule designed to keep drivers focused and save lives. Here’s what you need to know:
- All drivers in Colorado are prohibited from holding or manually operating a cell phone while driving.
- Voice-activated and hands-free devices (like Bluetooth) are allowed, but you can’t touch your phone while the vehicle is moving.
- For drivers under 18, any use of a cell phone while driving is strictly banned, even hands-free.
- A first offense carries a $75 fine and two points on your license. A second offense doubles to $150 and four points.
- To be cited, officers must observe you using the device in a careless or imprudent manner.
These laws strive to reduce distracted driving crashes, but they also create new grounds for proving fault in civil claims after an accident.
Distracted Driving Takes Many Forms
While cell phone use gets most of the attention, distraction can happen in many ways:
- Using GPS or adjusting a playlist
- Eating or drinking behind the wheel
- Talking to passengers or reaching into the backseat
- Applying makeup or self-grooming
If a driver is doing anything that pulls their eyes, hands, or focus off the road—even for just 5 seconds—they’re distracted. And in that time, at highway speeds, they’ve already traveled the length of a football field.
What to Do If You’re Hit by a Distracted Driver in Colorado
If you’re injured in a crash caused by a distracted driver, the law is on your side—but you’ll still have to prove fault and fight for full compensation. Here’s what to do:
- Document the scene: Take photos of vehicles, road conditions, and any signs of distraction.
- Get witness information: Bystanders may have seen the other driver on their phone.
- Request a police report: Officers may note distraction or cite the driver under the new law.
- Talk to a distracted driving accident lawyer: Insurance companies won’t hand over what you’re owed. You need someone who knows how to find the facts that matter and build a strong case for the maximum compensation you deserve.
At The Longo Firm, LLC, we dig deep—pulling cellphone records, analyzing crash data, and working with accident reconstruction experts to hold distracted drivers accountable.
Don’t Let a Distracted Driver Off the Hook
You shouldn’t be left footing the bill for medical expenses, lost wages, and other crash-related losses because someone else couldn’t keep their eyes on the road. Colorado’s hands-free law is a step in the right direction, but it’s civil lawsuits that truly hold reckless drivers accountable.
Attorney Stephen Longo knows what it takes to win these cases. We’ll fight to get you compensation for medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and any long-term impact on your life.
Injured by a distracted driver in Colorado Springs or anywhere in El Paso County? Let’s talk. We’re ready to stand up for you—because your fight for justice starts now. Contact us today for a free consultation to see how an experienced distracted driving accident lawyer can help.
"I cannot thank Stephen Longo and The Longo Firm enough for everything they did for me. After I was in a hit-and-run accident caused by a drunk driver, I was terrified and had no idea what to do. Thankfully, the cops found the person. But, the insurance company initially offered me next to nothing, and I felt completely lost. My family and I called Longo firm. From the moment they took my case, everything changed." - Sophia Y., ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐