New year, new rules of the road: Why experts say Colorado drivers will be safer in 2025 (Denver7)

Colorado got a yellow road safety score on this year's Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety report card. New regulations aim to improve safety conditions for Colorado drivers.

Several new rules of the road are now in effect in Colorado, and experts say it’s a step in the right direction in keeping drivers safe on the roads.

Colorado got a yellow road safety score on 2024’s Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety report card. According to the report, some of the new driving laws will improve safety conditions for Colorado drivers.

Here are some of those new laws going into effect:

New fines for weaving

Beginning Jan. 1, 2025, drivers will face a fine for weaving in and out of express lanes. The change applies to drivers who enter and exit express lanes outside of designated areas in the Central 70, Interstate 25 South Gap and US 36 corridors.

Fines start at $75 and increase to $150 if not paid after 20 days. The state statute allows for fines up to $250.

“It's more of a nonstop type of experience than even the highway itself. And so for that reason, there's people jumping in and out. It causes sideswipe accidents. It causes rear-ending accidents. It's very dangerous,” said Tim Hoover, CDOT deputy director of communications.

New car seat law

Starting this year, children must be in a car seat or booster until they are 9 years old and at least 40 pounds. This is up from 8 years old in the previous version of the law. Children must be rear-facing in their car seats until 2 years old and less than 40 pounds as part of the revised Colorado law. Children must be in the back seat if one is available.

“The laws of physics don't change. And that's really what we're dealing with here, and making sure that the car seats are properly used with the right size child in the right size car seat,” said Greg Durocher, child passenger safety technician instructor and founder of SafeRide4Kids.com.

Durocher says this is a good time to find a car seat safety technician (available on NHSTA’s Car Seats and Booster Seats webpage) to make sure your children’s safety restraints are appropriate for their age and size.

Hands-free driving law

Starting Jan. 1, 2025, having your cell phone in your hand while driving is illegal. Adult drivers must use a hands-free device to make phone calls or use GPS. That includes dashboard phone mounts, Apple CarPlay/Android Auto or built-in car speaker systems. The new law expands on the state's existing ban on texting while driving, according to CDOT.

As the new law is written, using your phone while driving is considered a secondary offense.

Violating the new law could cause you to end up with a $75 fine and two points against your driver's license.

Read New year, new rules of the road: Why experts say Colorado drivers will be safer in 2025 to learn more.