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Pennsylvania Enacts Paul Miller’s Law to Combat Distracted Driving

A visual representation of distracted driving laws emphasizing hands-free technology.

News Summary

Pennsylvania has enacted Paul Miller’s Law, set to take effect on June 5, 2025, prohibiting handheld device use while driving to reduce distracted driving incidents. Signed by Governor Josh Shapiro, the law imposes a $50 fine for violators, with warnings beginning on its launch date. The law aims to raise awareness following alarming statistics, including nearly 10,000 crashes related to distracted driving in 2022. The legislation is named after Paul Miller Jr., a victim of distracted driving, and includes educational requirements for learner’s permit applicants.

Pennsylvania is set to implement Paul Miller’s Law, a new legislation aimed at reducing distracted driving incidents, which will take effect on June 5, 2025. Signed by Governor Josh Shapiro, the law strictly prohibits the use of handheld devices while driving, even when vehicles are temporarily stopped at traffic lights. Law enforcement will begin issuing written warnings on the law’s launch date, with official citations starting on June 6, 2026.

Under this legislation, drivers caught using handheld devices will face a $50 fine. However, the law does allow for the use of handheld devices in emergency situations, such as when alerting emergency responders or when parked safely off the road. Importantly, drivers will still be permitted to utilize hands-free technology, including GPS navigation, music streaming applications, and phone calls through systems like Apple CarPlay or Android Auto.

The law is named after Paul Miller Jr., a 21-year-old student who tragically lost his life in 2010 due to a distracted driver who was reaching for their phone at the time of the accident. The driver involved in Miller’s fatal incident pleaded guilty to the charges and served a prison sentence ranging from 12 to 36 months.

Eileen Miller, Paul Miller’s mother, has been a driving force behind the push for stricter distracted driving laws in Pennsylvania after the loss of her son. The new legislation comes in response to alarming statistics. Last year alone, Pennsylvania recorded 9,950 crashes attributed to distracted driving, resulting in 6,000 injuries and 49 fatalities.

Specifically, in Lehigh and Northampton counties, nearly 3,000 distracted driving-related crashes were reported between 2020 and 2024, including 484 incidents in 2024 that led to four deaths and nine serious injuries. Lehigh County was identified as one of the top 10 counties in Pennsylvania for distracted driving offenses within the same timeframe.

To further combat distracted driving, the law mandates that all applicants for learner’s permits will receive education regarding the dangers associated with distracted driving. Drivers are encouraged to pull over safely to respond to messages or enlist passengers as designated texters while on the road.

Additions to the legislation include stipulations for increased prison sentences for individuals who cause fatalities while driving in a distracted state. Furthermore, police officers will be required to report all traffic stops, including the demographics of drivers involved, which aims to monitor potential racial profiling during enforcement.

As of now, 35 states and the District of Columbia have implemented similar laws banning handheld device use while driving. Pennsylvania’s Paul Miller’s Law aims to raise awareness about the risks of distracted driving and ultimately reduce the number of related incidents on the state’s roads.

Despite such legislation, the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) recognizes that many distracted driving incidents go unreported, as drivers are often reluctant to admit distractions when involved in accidents. The hope is that with increased enforcement and awareness, these statistics can improve, enhancing the safety of Pennsylvania’s roadways.