‘Put the phone away or pay a fine’: PA drivers to soon face fines for handheld cellphone use

Pennsylvania drivers will face fines starting June 5 if they are caught using handheld devices behind the wheel.

The enforcement follows the implementation of Paul Miller’s Law, which aims to curb distracted driving across the Commonwealth.

Gov. Josh Shapiro signed the bill into law in 2024, making it illegal to use a hand-held device while driving, even when a vehicle is temporarily stopped for traffic or red lights. While hand-held use is prohibited, motorists are still permitted to use hands-free technology for music, navigation and phone calls, or to contact authorities during emergencies.

Pennsylvania State Police officials confirmed that the conclusion of a designated warning period will lead to active citations for motorists.

Lieutenant Colonel George L. Bivens, acting commissioner of the Pennsylvania State Police, stated that troopers are prepared to enforce the new standards to improve roadway safety.

“As the warning period for Paul Miller’s Law concludes, troopers will begin issuing citations to drivers using handheld devices behind the wheel,” Bivens said. “Distracted driving is dangerous and significantly increases the risk of crashes. Just a moment of inattention can lead to life-altering consequences.”

State data from 2024 shows there were 9,950 crashes involving distracted drivers in Pennsylvania, resulting in more than 6,000 injuries and 49 fatalities. Officials believe these numbers are likely underreported because drivers are often reluctant to admit they were distracted before an accident. Mike Carroll, secretary of the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation, emphasized that driver behavior is the leading factor in 83% of the approximately 1,100 fatal crashes that occur annually in the state.

“Your choices behind the wheel can change lives forever,” Carroll said. “Distracted driving is not only dangerous, but also illegal.”

Convicted drivers will be required to pay a $50 fine in addition to court costs and other associated fees. The state also maintains an existing ban on texting while driving that prohibits reading, writing or sending text-based messages while a vehicle is in motion. Depending on the specific circumstances of an incident, violators of these laws could face more severe charges, including Homicide by Vehicle or Aggravated Assault by Vehicle.

The law is named in honor of Paul Miller Jr., who was killed in a 2010 crash in Monroe County involving a tractor-trailer. The crash was caused by a distracted driver who was reaching for a phone. Following the death of her son, Eileen Miller became a national advocate for stricter distracted driving legislation. Miller noted that her son was a safe driver who was killed by the choices of another motorist.

“Nearly 15 years ago, two Dunmore state troopers knocked on my door to tell me that my son was killed,” Miller said. “This law is for every family in Pennsylvania that doesn’t have to experience two state troopers knocking on their door to tell them that their loved one was killed by distracted driving.”

Transportation officials recommend that drivers pull over to a safe location if they need to send a text message or use their device. Motorists are also encouraged to use “Do Not Disturb” features on their phones or designate a passenger to handle communications to avoid the habit of checking notifications while driving.

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