Effective June 5, 2025, a new law, known as “Paul Miller's Law,” bans the use of interactive mobile devices (IMDs) while driving, even when stopped temporarily due to traffic, at a red light, or other momentary delay.

As a primary offense, drivers can be stopped by police if they have a mobile device in their hand while driving. There will be a one-year warning period during which a warning is to be issued to the driver who commits this offense.  Starting on June 5, 2026, drivers who commit this offense can be cited for a summary offense and, upon conviction, be fined $50, plus court costs and other applicable fees.

Under Paul Miller’s Law, drivers can still use their phones to alert emergency responders and, if they are using hands-free technology, to make phone calls, use a GPS, and listen to music.

Paul Miller’s Law is named in honor of Paul Miller Jr., a 21-year-old who was killed in a crash in July of 2010 in Monroe County. The crash involved a tractor-trailer driver who was reaching for a cellphone when he lost control, crossed into oncoming traffic, and struck Miller’s vehicle.  

According to PennDOT data, in 2024, there were 9,950 crashes involving a distracted driver, resulting in more than 6,000 injuries and 49 fatalities.

Cell phone use is not the only distraction while driving. Anything that takes your attention away from driving, your eyes off the road, or your hands off the wheel is a distraction. Driver behavior is the leading factor in 83% of the crashes that occur annually in Pennsylvania. These behaviors include driving distracted, impaired, or aggressive.

For more information, please read the Distracted Driving Fact Sheet.