Hands-Free Bill Advances
The bill to require hands-free use of cell phones while driving has momentum.
The time may finally have come for this piece of legislation. The Colorado Senate Transportation and Energy Committee on Tuesday unanimously approved Senate Bill 65 (SB 20-065) that would make it illegal for drivers to operate cellphones or other electronic equipment while driving unless they were using a hands-free device.
The bill now goes to the Senate Finance Committee and from there to the full Senate for consideration. If approved, as it was last year, it will move to the Colorado House, where it died last year. This year’s bill has been amended to address concerns that led to its failure in the House.
Commercial truckers already face this prohibition nationally, with much stiffer penalties, so one amendment specified that they will not be affected by this bill. Potential penalties for drivers were reduced from last year’s bill in order to mollify House opposition. One addition was to impose penalties of $300 and 4 points on any violation, first, second, or third or later, that involves texting. Texting while driving is already outlawed in Colorado, so this would be like saying that if you break both these laws at the same time we’re really going to hit you hard.
Motorcyclists and others who support this bill would do well to contact their state senators before it comes to a vote in that chamber to urge their support when it comes to the floor. You can find how to contact your senator here. Then, assuming the measure moves on to the House, it will be even more important to contact your representative to urge their support.
Biker Quote for Today
Die Living
Tags: hands free
February 14th, 2020 at 8:33 am
That is great news. I lead a group of riders to Colorado most summers. I am happy to see this legislation.