Sending/receiving text-based communications while driving a motor vehicle has been prohibited for some time.  A new law, known as "Paul Miller's Law" aimed at combatting accidents caused by distracted driving, puts further restrictions on cell phone use while driving.  The following public service announcement is brought to you by PennDOT and it further details upcoming change.

Shapiro Administration Reminds Drivers ‘Paul Miller’s Law’ Effective June 5

Distracted Driving

Anything that causes you to take your attention away from driving, take your eyes off the road or take your hands off the wheel is a distraction.

Pennsylvania's Distracted Driving Law - Known as Paul Miller’s Law, this law bans the USE of hand-held devices while driving.

Effective June 5, 2025, the law prohibits as a primary offense any driver from using an interactive mobile device (IMD) while driving a motor vehicle.

 Penalties Under this Law - As a primary offense, drivers can be stopped by police if they have a mobile device in their hand while driving.

• For the first 12 months, the penalty is a written warning.
• Effective June 5, 2026, the penalty is a summary offense with a $50 fine, plus court costs and other fees.
  • If a driver is convicted of homicide by vehicle and driving while distracted, they may be sentenced up to an additional five years in prison.

A driver may use an interactive mobile device if the driver moves the vehicle to the side of or off a highway and halts in a location where the vehicle can safely remain stationary. The hands-free law allows for an emergency use exception IF it is necessary to communicate with a law enforcement official or other emergency service to prevent injury to persons or property.

Pennsylvania's Texting-While-Driving Ban

The law prohibits as a primary offense any driver from using an interactive mobile device to send, read or write text-based communication while his or her vehicle is in motion.

Penalties Under this Law

• The penalty is a summary offense with a $50 fine, plus court costs and other fees.
• The violation carries no points as a penalty and will not be recorded on the driver record for non-commercial drivers. It will be recorded on commercial drivers' records as a non-sanction violation.

The texting ban does NOT include the use of a GPS device, a system or device that is physically or electronically integrated into the vehicle, or a communications device that is affixed to a mass transit vehicle, bus or school bus. The law does not authorize the seizure of an interactive wireless device.

Distractions are Everywhere

Cell phones are not the only distraction while driving. You will not be able to react as quickly if you are driving distracted. 

Faces of Distracted Driving" is an online photo series exploring the tragic consequences of texting and cell phone use behind the wheel by sharing the stories of people from across the country who have been injured or lost loved ones in distracted driving crashes. Click here to view "Faces of Distracted Driving."

Distractions are everywhere. It’s not worth your life, or anyone else’s. Keep your focus on the road. Don't drive distracted.  For more information on any of the items in this post, visit Paul Miller Law.