📵 Paul Miller’s Law: Pennsylvania’s Hands-Free Driving Law Takes Effect

Beginning June 5, 2025, Pennsylvania’s new hands-free driving law—Paul Miller’s Law—goes into effect, marking a major step forward in the fight against distracted driving. Named in memory of Paul Miller Jr., a 21-year-old killed by a distracted truck driver in 2010, this law makes it a primary traffic offense to use a handheld device while driving.

🚗 What the Law Prohibits

Under the new law, drivers may not hold, support, or manually operate a mobile device while driving. This includes:

Texting, emailing, browsing the web

Taking photos or recording video

Dialing or answering with more than one button press

Reaching for a device in a way that removes you from a proper seated position

The law applies even when your vehicle is temporarily stopped at a red light or in traffic.

📱 What’s an “Interactive Mobile Device”?

The law broadly defines a mobile device as any handheld phone, smartphone, tablet, or computer capable of communication, media sharing, or internet access.

🛑 What Are the Penalties?

Grace Period (June 5, 2025 – June 4, 2026): Police will issue written warnings

Beginning June 5, 2026: Violations carry a $50 fine plus court costs and fees

If distracted driving results in a fatal crash, courts may impose up to five additional years in prison

✅ What’s Still Allowed?

Hands-free operation (Bluetooth, voice-activated dialing) is permitted. You may use your device:

Only when parked safely off the roadway

To contact emergency services

✉️ How It Affects the Existing Texting Ban

Paul Miller’s Law builds on Pennsylvania’s texting-while-driving ban, which:

Prohibits sending/reading any text-based communication while moving

Remains a primary offense with a $50 fine

Does not result in points for non-commercial drivers, but does appear on CDL driver records

The law preempts all local distracted driving ordinances, establishing a uniform standard across the state.

🚧 Distracted Driving is More Than Just Phones

Distractions behind the wheel also include:

Eating, drinking, grooming

Adjusting the radio or climate settings

Talking to passengers

Looking at crash scenes or roadside activity

Any distraction that takes your eyes or attention off the road increases the risk of a crash.

💡 Safety Starts With Awareness

“Paul Miller’s Law” is more than a legal change—it’s a public safety message. The loss that inspired this legislation is a reminder that even a few seconds of distraction can have life-altering consequences.

Let’s work together to build safer roads in Pennsylvania by keeping our eyes on the road and our hands off our phones.

Learn more at:
👉 www.pa.gov/distracted-driving

📋 Comparison: Paul Miller’s Law vs. Federal CMV Cell Phone Ban

🔍 Key Alignment Points

1. Handheld Use Is Banned for Both

   • Both the state law and FMCSA rules prohibit holding a phone while driving.

   • One-button touch and hands-free use are the only acceptable methods.

2. Commercial Driver Risk

   • Violations under either law can impact a CDL driver’s record.

   • Under FMCSA, repeated violations may result in CDL disqualification.

3. Heightened Accountability

   • While Paul Miller’s Law is new to Pennsylvania, CMV drivers should already be in compliance with similar or stricter federal rules.

   • The state law reinforces these safety standards and ensures uniform enforcement across all vehicle types on Pennsylvania roads.