Paul Miller’s Law: Pennsylvania – put your cell down when driving or at red light/stop sign.

On June 5, 2025, Pennsylvania officially implemented its new hands-free driving law, known as Paul Miller’s Law, aimed at reducing distracted driving crashes across the state. This legislation, passed as Senate Bill 37 and signed into law on June 5, 2024, marks a major step forward in road safety by prohibiting drivers from using handheld cell phones while behind the wheel – even at stop signs or stop light. Distracted driving is a public health crisis. Every year, over 3,000 people across the country are killed in distracted driving crashes, according to the National Highway Transportation and Safety Commission.

What Does the New Law Require?

Under Paul Miller’s Law, drivers are prohibited from physically holding or supporting a mobile device while operating a vehicle. This includes:

• Holding a phone to talk, text, or browse the internet.
• Using video calls, social media apps, or streaming platforms while driving.
• Any other handheld use of a cell phone while the vehicle is in motion.

Hands-free technology, such as Bluetooth or dashboard mounts, is permitted for calls and navigation, allowing drivers to keep their focus on the road.

Penalties for Violations

If a driver is pulled over for violating the law, the penalties include:

• First Offense (Warning Period): For the first year, law enforcement will issue warnings to educate drivers about compliance.
• Subsequent Offenses: After the warning period, violations may result in fines and potential points on a driver’s license.

This law builds on Pennsylvania’s existing texting-while-driving ban, which has been in effect since 2012 and already prohibits reading, writing, or sending text messages while operating a vehicle (75 Pa. C.S. § 3316).

The Story Behind Paul Miller’s Law

The legislation is named in honor of Paul Miller, a 21-year-old East Stroudsburg University student who tragically lost his life when a distracted tractor trailer driver crashed into Paul’s car on July 5, 2010. His parents, Paul Miller and Eileen Miller, became road safety advocates for distracted driving prevention and have worked tirelessly with lawmakers to pass this law.

Eileen has spent the last 15 years advocating in Harrisburg to help legislators understand the dangers of distracted driving and how to best address. Governor Josh Shapiro credits Eileen for her critical role in moving the bill over the finish line. She is a frequent guest speaker at schools and organizations in the Scranton area, highlighting the human cost of distracted driving. She keeps Paul’s memory and legacy alive through a scholarship named in his honor at Scranton High School in addition to this life-saving law. Paul had plans to become a police officer after college. Eileen is driven to this advocacy work so that other families will be spared this type of preventable and never-ending tragedy.

Legislative Leadership: Senator Rosemary Brown

State Senator Rosemary Brown (R-Monroe) sponsored Senate Bill 37 and was instrumental in securing its passage. Senator Brown emphasized that Pennsylvania was one of the last states without a hands-free driving law, despite clear evidence linking distracted driving to crashes and fatalities.

"Paul Miller’s Law," she noted, "is not about limiting freedom but about saving lives by encouraging responsible driving behaviors." The image below reflects the day that PA state Governor Josh Shapiro signed the Paul Miller Law (June 5, 2024) and celebrated this legislative win with Representative Ed Neilsen, Elieen Miller and Senator Rosemary Brown.

How Does Pennsylvania Compare to Other States?

With the passage of SB37, Pennsylvania joined 26 other states that already enforce hands-free driving laws. Neighboring states like New York, New Jersey, Delaware, and Maryland have long prohibited handheld cell phone use while driving, often citing reductions in crashes and fatalities as a result.

While Pennsylvania previously had only a texting-while-driving ban, the new law expands enforcement to cover all handheld device use, bringing the state in line with national trends aimed at combatting distracted driving.

Why This Law Matters

According to PennDOT, distracted driving is a leading cause of crashes in Pennsylvania, contributing to over 11,000 crashes and nearly 60 fatalities annually. By implementing a comprehensive hands-free law, Pennsylvania hopes to curb these preventable crashes and encourage safer driving habits.

Supporters point to research from other states showing that hands-free laws reduce rear-end crashes and overall collision rates. While technology is deeply ingrained in daily life, this law serves as a critical reminder that no text or call is worth a life.

What Drivers Should Know Moving Forward

Drivers should take steps now to comply with Paul Miller’s Law:

• Use Hands-Free Devices: Invest in Bluetooth-enabled systems or phone mounts.
• Pre-Set GPS: Enter destinations before starting your trip.
• Silence Notifications: Use "Do Not Disturb While Driving" modes.
• Focus on Driving: Commit to keeping both hands on the wheel and eyes on the road.

The implementation of Paul Miller’s Law represents a significant victory for road safety advocates and a poignant tribute to the loss of lives to distracted drivers, including Paul Miller. With enforcement now in effect, Pennsylvania drivers must adapt to these changes, prioritize safety, and help reduce preventable crashes caused by distractions behind the wheel.

At Piscitello Law, we have seen far too many families devastated by distracted driving crashes. No text message or social post is worth risking your life, or those around you. We continue to advocate for common sense and reasonable laws to improve our roads throughout Pennsylvania. The Paul Miller law is an important step forward to changing driver behavior and improving road safety. We extend both our condolences and appreciation to Paul’s family for spearheading this life-saving legislation.