Beginning June 5, 2025, Pennsylvania drivers will need to put their phones down while behind the wheel. The Commonwealth’s new distracted driving law — known as “Paul Miller’s Law” — officially bans the use of handheld mobile devices while driving, even while stopped at a red light or sitting in traffic.
The law represents one of the most significant updates to Pennsylvania traffic safety laws in years and is aimed squarely at reducing distracted driving crashes across the state.
Under the new law, drivers may not hold or use an “interactive mobile device” while operating a motor vehicle. That includes:
The prohibition applies not only when a vehicle is moving, but also when temporarily stopped due to traffic, a stop sign, or a red light.
Pennsylvania already prohibited texting while driving, but lawmakers and safety advocates argued that the previous law left too many loopholes and was difficult to enforce. Paul Miller’s Law creates a broader hands-free requirement similar to laws already adopted in many other states.
The law is named in memory of Paul Miller, a 21-year-old Pennsylvania man who was killed in 2010 when a distracted tractor-trailer driver crossed the median and struck his vehicle head-on. Since his death, Paul’s family — particularly his mother, Eileen Miller — spent years advocating for stronger distracted driving laws in Pennsylvania.
Their advocacy ultimately helped push Senate Bill 37 into law in 2024.
For the first year after the law takes effect, police officers will issue written warnings rather than fines.
Beginning June 5, 2026, violations will become a summary offense carrying:
Importantly, the law is a primary offense, meaning police can stop a driver solely for violating the handheld device ban.
Yes. Drivers may still:
Drivers may also use a phone if they have safely pulled off the roadway and parked in a safe location.
Distracted driving remains one of the leading causes of serious motor vehicle crashes. According to PennDOT, thousands of crashes in Pennsylvania each year involve distracted drivers. Safety officials hope the new law will encourage motorists to develop safer driving habits before tragedy occurs.
The message behind Paul Miller’s Law is straightforward: no text, notification, or phone call is worth risking a life.
Galfand Berger, LLP has stood on the side of injury victims for almost 80 years. If you’ve been hurt in a car accident, give our firm a call for a free consultation at 1-800-222-8792 or email us at [email protected].
At Galfand Berger, our personal injury attorneys have been pursuing justice for injured victims throughout Pennsylvania and New Jersey for nearly 80 years.
