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Colorado State Patrol Warns Hands-Free Law Covers More Than Cell Phones and Texting


Description: Colorado State Patrol reminds drivers that the state’s Hands-Free law bans holding or manually using any electronic device while driving, not just texting or phone calls, as distracted driving remains a leading crash cause in Colorado. Read the full Press release from Colorado State Patrol Public Affairs Office...

Why Colorado’s Hands-Free Law Isn’t Just About Phones

Apps people use while driving

(COLO) – When Colorado’s Hands-Free law went into effect on January 1, 2025, most people wanted to simplify the message that texting and cell phones were banned from use in vehicles. While cell phone use is not permitted, the law is intentionally broader to ensure that holding or manually using any electronic device is included.

“It’s hard to fathom, but some of the most prolific distracted drivers use technology well beyond a phone call or text message as they are driving,” stated Col. Matthew C. Packard, chief of the Colorado State Patrol. “These dangerous drivers are working, planning their vacation, shopping, and more, as they are also sharing the road with other drivers and pedestrians. Sometimes this is on the phone, and sometimes it’s using other electronic equipment.”

In a recent report, “The State of US Road Risk in 2024” by Cambridge Mobile Telematics, they determined that people in the U.S. interacted with their phones for 2 minutes and 6 seconds per hour on the road in 2023. Their study delved deeper to determine which apps people used most while driving.

The top 10 most-used apps while driving (The State of US Road Risk in 2024)

According to the study, three of the top spots are going to social media. Instagram is the most-used app while driving overall, with 24% of survey respondents reporting using it in the past month. Instagram is the most-used app while driving among men (22%), women (15%), 18-29-year-olds (26%), and 30–44-year-olds (28%). The Camera app was in close second with 23%. The Camera app is also in second place among men, women, and people over 60. It’s the most-used app for 45-60-year-olds and for Apple users.

Finally, WhatsApp Messenger comes in third place with 20%. It’s also the third-most-used app among men, the second among 30-44-year-olds, and the most-used app overall for Android users.

“If you know you will get tempted, I recommend ‘Do Not Disturb’ for your electronic devices,” stated Col. Packard. “Having this setting automatically turn on can be very helpful without daily steps.”

The Colorado State Patrol investigated 3,778 crashes in 2025 involving distracted drivers. This was the second most prevalent crash cause for all crash types (property damage, injury and fatal) in Colorado.

The Colorado State Patrol is focused on curbing dangerous, avoidable driving behaviors during Distracted Driving Awareness Month and the 100 Deadliest Days of Summer by sharing data and tips to encourage all Colorado drivers to focus on one task: driving. Colorado’s Hands Free law went into effect on January 1, 2025. Seconds Matter; drop the distractions.