SB 17-027

Senate Bill 17-027 increases penalties for texting while driving in Colorado. Currently, a first offense results in a $50 fine and one point on your license; after the bill was signed, this changes to a $300 fine and four points for every offense, regardless of whether it's the first or subsequent times. The law also requires that drivers can only be cited if they were driving carelessly at the same time. This affects all drivers who text while operating a vehicle in Colorado. Since the bill has been signed into law, these new penalties are now enforceable and active.

Official Summary

Currently, the penalty for text messaging while driving is a $50 fine and one point assessed against the violator's driver's license for a first offense and a $100 fine and one point assessed against the violator's driver's license for a second or subsequent offense. The bill increases the penalty to a $300 fine and 4 points for each offense. A driver may not be cited for text messaging while driving unless the driver was also operating the motor vehicle in a careless and imprudent manner. (Note: This summary applies to the reengrossed version of this bill as introduced in the second house.)

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