PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — Pennsylvania’s new law prohibiting the use of handheld phones or mobile devices while driving goes into effect June 5.
Paul Miller’s Law includes a one-year grace period with warnings, but starting June 2026, it will carry a $50 fine.
Pennsylvania State Police Maj. Robert Krol said the law makes holding a phone or mobile device a primary offense.
“You don't need to have a phone to your ear to be in violation,” he said. “If you're holding a device with one hand or even supporting it with another part of your body, police can stop you and take enforcement action.”
He said drivers can pull over and use a phone, and there are exceptions for emergency calls to law enforcement.
The law is named for Paul Miller, Junior, who was killed in 2010 by a truck driver who was on the phone. Paul’s mother, Eileen, fought for more than a decade to strengthen Pennsylvania’s law on handheld devices, fulfilling a promise she said she whispered in her son’s ear as she identified his body.
“Nobody should ever have to lose a mother, a father, a sister, a brother, a loved one because of something so preventable as being on your phone and being distracted,” she said.
According to state police, distracted driving is the leading cause of car crashes in Pennsylvania. PennDOT data shows that in 2024, there were 9,950 crashes involving distracted driving that resulted in 49 fatalities.
In a statement, PennDOT Secretary Mike Carroll said that this law is about saving lives.
“Your choices behind the wheel can change lives forever,” he said. “Make the safe choice. Put your phone out of reach and don’t text and drive. One text, one glance down – it could kill someone. And it’s not worth it.”