Pennsylvania drivers who hold their cellphones while behind the wheel could soon be fined $50 as the state begins enforcing a new distracted driving law.
Enforcement Begins
Starting Friday, police across the state will be able to issue citations to drivers who violate Paul Miller's Law, a hands-free driving measure that prohibits drivers from holding or using an interactive mobile device while operating a vehicle, even at a stoplight.
The law took effect in June 2025, but for its first year, officers were limited to issuing written warnings. The warning period is now over, and under the law, drivers can be stopped solely for using a handheld device, making it a primary offense. Violators face a $50 fine, in addition to court costs and other fees. The violation does not add points to a non-commercial driver's record, though it may be recorded for commercial drivers.
Official Statement
“This law is about saving lives, it’s not about citations,” PennDOT Secretary Mike Carroll said at a press conference Tuesday.
What Devices Are Covered?
The legislation defines an interactive mobile device as a smartphone, handheld wireless telephone, tablet, portable computer or similar device capable of functions such as calling, texting, emailing, internet browsing, social media use, gaming, taking photos or recording videos.
Prohibited Actions
Drivers are prohibited from holding a device, supporting it with another part of the body, dialing or answering by pressing more than a single button, or reaching for a device in a way that causes them to leave a seated, seat-belted driving position. The restrictions apply even when a vehicle is temporarily stopped in traffic, at a red light or at a stop sign.
Permitted Uses
Motorists are still allowed to use hands-free technology, including Bluetooth and voice commands, and the law makes exceptions for emergency calls to police, fire departments, or other emergency services. Drivers can also legally use hands-free systems for phone calls, GPS navigation and listening to music while driving.
Existing Laws and Penalties
Pennsylvania already has a separate texting-while-driving law that bans drivers from sending, reading, or writing text messages while their vehicle is moving. In serious cases, depending on the incident, violating that law or Paul Miller’s Law can lead to much harsher penalties, including charges such as homicide by vehicle or aggravated assault by vehicle, along with increased sentences.
Background of the Law
The law is named after Paul Miller Jr., a 21-year-old Pennsylvania man who was killed in 2010 when a distracted tractor-trailer driver reached for a phone and crossed into oncoming traffic. His mother, Eileen Miller, spent years advocating for stronger distracted-driving laws in the state following her son's death, which Governor Josh Shapiro signed into law in June 2024.
Mother's Statement
“This law will save lives and that is the most important thing,” Miller said in a statement. “I don’t want any parent to ever have to go to a morgue to identify their child – like I did – because of something so preventable. Your choices behind the wheel matter. Put down the phone!”
Distracted Driving Statistics
Nearly 10,000 distracted-driving crashes were reported in Pennsylvania in 2024, resulting in more than 6,000 injuries and 49 fatalities, according to PennDOT.
