What Is Paul Miller’s Law?

Paul Miller’s Law is a new law in Pennsylvania that prohibits drivers from holding cellphones or other electronic devices while operating a motor vehicle. The law is named after Paul Miller, a 21-year-old who was killed in a car accident in 2010 by a distracted tractor-trailer driver. Paul Miller’s Law went into effect on June 5. However, from June 5, 2025 – June 4, 2026, police will issue written warnings only. Beginning June 5, 2026, violations will carry a $50 summary offense fine plus court costs for a first-time offense.

The law passed through the House of Representatives Transportation Committee and landed on Gov. Josh Shapiro’s desk after years of lobbying by Paul’s mother, Eileen Miller. She became a traffic safety advocate after her son’s death and has tirelessly pushed for the passage of the law.

Miller told Fox 56 last year:

I want to do it for other parents so they never have to view what I had to view, which they didn’t want me to view, they begged me not to view him, I said he’s mine and I had to be there for him to tell him I would find out how he died, what caused it, and I would make change, and that promise I didn’t think would take this long.

What are the key provisions within Paul Miller’s Law?

The new law “amends the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes on vehicles with a focus on restricting the use of mobile devices while driving.” It does so by:

• Making hand-held phone use by drivers a primary offense, which means police can pull you over for using a phone while driving, even in the absence of another violation like speeding or rolling through a stop sign.
• Changing “interactive mobile devices” to “interactive wireless communication mobile devices” within the language of the law, so that the law covers more than just cellphones. Illegal actions while driving now include texting, web browsing, sending/reading emails and/or instant messages, playing games, using social media, and making/recording videos.
• Mandating “additional driving experience and education on distracted driving for learners permit holders” before they take their tests.
• Adding a new section on distracted driving to drivers’ manuals.
• During the first year, violators will receive written warnings, but beginning June 5, 2026, violations become a $50 summary offense plus costs. Drivers who cause serious injury or death while distracted may still be charged under existing criminal statutes, such as homicide by vehicle or aggravated assault. Additional enhancements may apply if the crash happens in a work zone.
• Allowing police to collect certain data about the traffic stop and any subsequent searches, and to share that data with third parties (the Transportation Committees of the Senate and the House of Representatives, the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency, etc.) for analysis.

There are ways to use your phone legally while driving, as long as they don’t involve holding the device or looking at it while driving. For instance, drivers can use their devices for the following:

• Making calls through Bluetooth or similar systems that are voice-activated
• Using voice-activated mounted devices for GPS
• Messaging people through voice-to-text applications
• Playing music or streaming podcasts with voice-activated devices
• Calling 911 in an emergency

You can read the full text of the law here.

Are distracted driving laws effective?

Distracted driving laws can be effective tools in raising awareness and deterring behaviors that contribute to car accidents. However, their effectiveness varies depending on enforcement, public education campaigns, and general attitudes toward distracted driving.

AAA reports:

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 3,142 people were killed in 2019 in motor vehicle crashes in the United States in which one or more drivers was reported as distracted (National Center for Statistics and Analysis, 2021). In a recent, nationwide survey, 37% of respondents reported talking on a handheld cellphone while driving in the past 30 days, while 34% reported reading texts or emails and 23% reported typing texts or emails while driving (AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety, 2021).

Banning phone use while driving is a common approach, like that taken by Pennsylvania, but there are other strategies to address distracted driving:

• Education and awareness campaigns: Increasing public awareness about the dangers of distracted driving through campaigns, school programs, and media can change attitudes and behaviors.
• Technology solutions: Implementing technology solutions like smartphone apps that block notifications while driving, or integrating hands-free communication systems in vehicles, can help reduce distractions.
• Strengthening enforcement: Strict enforcement of existing laws coupled with increased fines or penalties for offenders can act as a deterrent.
• Designing safer roads and vehicles: Road and vehicle design can play a role in reducing distractions. For example, designing roads with fewer visual distractions or implementing vehicle features that minimize the need for manual interaction can help.
• Encouraging responsible passenger behavior: Passengers can contribute to distraction, so promoting responsible behavior among passengers can help reduce distractions for the driver.
• Workplace policies: Employers can implement policies that discourage employees from using phones while driving for work purposes.
• Social norms and peer pressure: Encouraging social norms that discourage distracted driving and empowering individuals to speak up when they see others engaging in risky behaviors can be effective.

AAA further reports:

Legislative efforts to curb distracted driving tend to fall into three types: all-driver handheld cellphone bans, all-driver texting bans, or complete cellphone bans that apply to a subset of drivers. Evaluations of all-driver handheld cellphone bans have found reductions in self-reported or observed phone use while driving and, in some cases, fatal and injury crashes. However, these outcomes are not universal.

Eileen Miller noted, “I tell everybody, ‘turn their phones off behind the wheel.’ Once you lose a child, there is nothing that important. Nothing’s that important.”

“Safe driving laws like Paul Miller’s Law are about saving lives,” said PennDOT Secretary Mike Carroll. “Your choices behind the wheel can change lives forever. Please make the safe choice and never drive distracted.”

At KBG Injury Law, we know how deadly distracted driving can be. Our dedicated York distracted driving accident lawyers are here to help. We have a proven track record of holding negligent drivers accountable and securing the maximum compensation for victims. To schedule a free consultation with an experienced attorney from KBG Injury Law, just call our offices or fill out our contact form. We maintain offices in York, Lancaster, Harrisburg, Hanover, and Gettysburg for your convenience.