New Pennsylvania Driving Law Prohibits Hand-Held Cell Phone Use

Pennsylvania is about to take a big step towards making the roads safer for everyone. On June 5^th, Governor Josh Shapiro will be signing Senate Bill 37 into law. The law, also known as “Paul Miller’s Law,” bans the use of all hand-held devices while driving – even if the driver is temporarily stopped in traffic, at a red light, or due to any other type of momentary delay. The bill is named in remembrance of Paul Miller, Jr., who was killed in a crash involving a tractor-trailer in 2010. The at-fault driver who struck Paul reached for their phone while driving. In one instant, Paul lost his life, and his family and loved ones were forever changed.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, or NHTSA, distracted driving (which includes talking or texting, eating, drinking, and any other activity that distracts attention from driving) claimed the lives of 3,275 Americans in 2023. The agency reports that of the activities that constitute distracted driving, texting is one of the riskiest. Simply sending or reading a message diverts a person’s attention from driving for roughly five seconds; at 55 mph, that is equivalent to driving the length of a football field with your eyes closed.

What PA Drivers Need to Know

Pennsylvania already has a law in place that prohibits texting (sending, reading, or writing messages) while driving, but the new law makes the rules for drivers even more strict: Senate Bill 37 prohibits the use of interactive mobile devices in a few different ways. Per the State, use of a hand-held cell phone constitutes the following actions:

• Using at least one hand to hold, or supporting with another part of the body, an interactive mobile device.
• Dialing or answering an interactive mobile device by pressing more than a single button, and:
• Reaching for an interactive mobile device in a manner that requires the driver to maneuver so that the driver is no longer in a seated driving position and is no longer restrained by a seat belt that is installed and adjusted in accordance with various federal regulations and manufacturer instructions.

The law does contain an emergency use exception, which allows drivers to use an interactive mobile device should it be necessary to communicate with law enforcement or other emergency services to prevent injury to persons or property. After Governor Shapiro signs the bill into law this week, law enforcement will begin issuing written warnings to drivers for violations. Beginning June 6^th, 2026, law enforcement officials will have the ability to issue citations to violators of the law.

Stop Distracted Driving Now

Whether you are in a state where the use of hand-held cell phones is prohibited or not, everyone should take steps to eliminate distracted driving – drivers, parents, and passengers all play a part in preventing it from continuing to claim countless lives. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), here’s what you can do:

• Do not multitask when you are driving. Whether it is adjusting your mirrors, eating, selecting music, making a phone call, or reading a text or email, do it before you start driving.
• If you are a passenger in a car with a distracted driver, speak up. Ask the driver to focus on driving.
• Reduce the distractions for the driver by assisting with tasks like navigation and more.
• Parents should talk to their teens or young adults about the rules and responsibilities involved in driving. Share stories and statistics related to young/teen drivers and distracted driving.
• Set consequences for distracted driving. You can use the CDC’s Parent-Teen Driving Agreement at: https://www.cdc.gov/teen-drivers/media/pdfs/PATK_2014_TeenParent_Agreement_AAP-a.pdf.
• Remember to set an example! Always keep your eyes on the road and your hands on the wheel.

If you were injured in an automobile accident with a distracted driver, someone at our firm can help. If you would like to learn more about filing a claim for your injuries, please contact a representative online now.

Philadelphia Personal Injury Attorneys at Galfand Berger, LLP, Representing Automobile Accident Victims Since 1947

Contact the Philadelphia personal injury attorneys at Galfand Berger LLP today. Call us at 800-222-USWA (8792) or fill out our online form for a free consultation. Located in Philadelphia, Bethlehem, Lancaster, and Reading, we serve clients throughout New Jersey and Pennsylvania, including Allentown and Harrisburg.