When Coloradans walk out their doors this morning, they’ll have 65 new laws to follow that govern everything from driving to drinking.
Teens who have held a license less than a year will see some of the most sweeping changes to their driving privileges.
Starting today, minors who have had their licenses less than six months are forbidden from carrying passengers under 21. Teens licensed for less than a year cannot carry more than one passenger under 21 unless there is an adult present or the passengers are family members.
Teens who have been driving for less than a year are no longer allowed to drive between midnight and 5 a.m., except in special circumstances such as in a medical emergency or for work.
And it is now illegal for drivers with learning permits to talk on cellphones while driving.
State Patrol Master Trooper Ron Watkins said troopers support the new restrictions on teens “because we have to deal with the carnage on the road.”
Drivers between 16 and 20 years of age are at the highest risk for traffic deaths, even though they account for only about 7 percent of the drivers on the road, Watkins said.
“We know that inexperience, distractions, risk-taking, all those things that these teenagers are doing, have been causing some of these fatal crashes,” he said.
The law will prevent some deaths and make teens better drivers, Watkins said.
But teens aren’t the only ones facing new driving laws. Drivers trying to outwit the cops with radar- jamming devices will have to stop or face a misdemeanor charge and possible destruction of the device.
Traffic violations in construction zones will now bring double fines.
And travelers who have to go might find more incentive to hold it under a new law that ups the fines for dumping human waste along state highways from about $40 to $500.
It’s not all penalties and no perks for drivers. People who miss the deadline to register their cars will catch a break and won’t have to pay more than $10 in late charges. Charges used to be 10 percent of the tax or $10, whichever was more.
A new statewide open-container ban means it’s no longer legal anywhere in Colorado for a driver or his carpooling buddy to have an open beer in the car.
And, speaking of booze and cars, adults caught providing alcohol to minors will lose their licenses for at least six months.
Kids caught drinking underage will also face stiffer penalties. The fine today goes up to $250 for the first offense and $500 for the second. The new law also provides limited immunity to underage drinkers who call authorities to assist an underage companion who needs medical attention because of alcohol consumption.
Partyers looking to get buzzed by inhaling alcoholic vapors instead of drinking spirits will have to look outside Colorado. The so-called “alcohol without liquid” devices are now illegal.
Other laws that take effect today:
Allow two bicyclists to ride side by side.
Limit the amount of medication customers can buy if the product contains chemicals used to manufacture methamphetamine.
Increases the penalty for patronizing a prostitute on the third conviction.
Staff writer Chris Frates can be reached at 303-820-1633 or cfrates@denverpost.com.
