Driving Laws Change This Week In PA: New Reason You Can Be Pulled Over

PENNSYLVANIA — The rules of the road across Pennsylvania shift this week as a new distracted driving law banning the use of cell phones goes into effect.

The new law, named Paul Miller's Law after a young man killed by a distracted driver back in 2010, goes into effect on Thursday, June 5.

The legislation expands on Pennsylvania's existing ban on texting while driving. Starting Thursday, it's illegal for Pennsylvania to use cell phones in any way, even while stopped at a red light or stuck in traffic.

“Since day one I have always believed in this commonsense policy," State Sen. Rosemary Brown (R- Lackawanna, Monroe, Wayne), who championed the bill and spearheaded its passage alongside Eileen Miller, Paul Miller's mother, said in a statement. "It’s important that drivers remember that the cell phone has become the most consistent, repetitive, and lengthy distraction behind the driver’s wheel causing significant public safety concerns. This law will change behaviors and save lives."

Brown described the bill, which spent years from formation to the legislature to finally reaching Gov. Josh Shapiro's desk last year, as having "overwhelming bi-partisan support."

Supporters say it's a simple law that could have immeasurable impact.

"One text, one glance down – it could kill someone. And it’s not worth it," PennDOT Secretary Mike Carroll added.

When it's enforceable

While the law will go into effect June 5, police will only issue written warnings to violators for the first year. Summary citations with larger penalties will begin on June 6, 2026.

What will change for drivers in Pennsylvania

All usage of a cell phone by drivers is now prohibited. That does not just mean texting, which was already banned, but also using a phone to change and search for music, take a photo or video, input GPS directions, make phone calls, search the Internet, and pretty much anything else.

Drivers can, however, use their phones to make an emergency call to first responders. And if they have a hands-free device, they can use it to access their GPS, music, and more.
Officials say that troopers will be immediately on the lookout for violators.

“The Pennsylvania State Police will enforce the new law to its full extent,” said PSP Commissioner Colonel Christopher Paris. “Distracted driving is not a minor offense. Just one second of inattention can result in irreversible consequences. We urge all drivers to stay focused behind the wheel.”
Cell phone usage while driving is "habit-forming," authorities said. They urged drivers to consider activating their phone's do not disturb feature while driving, or putting it in the glove box or trunk for the duration of your trip.

Other tips include pulling over parking the car to respond to urgent messages, or asking a passenger to be the "designated texter" while behind the wheel.

Social justice and the new law

The law also contains provisions that officials hope will prevent bias in law enforcement initiating stops and issuing fines and citations.

The Legislative Black Caucus worked on the addendum, which requires law enforcement to collect data on all drivers pulled over during any traffic stop, including race, ethnicity, and gender.

"We will not sacrifice justice and the freedoms of historically marginalized and overpoliced communities in the name of public safety," State Rep. Napoleon Nelson said in a statement. "There is no safety there. Nor will we cede our responsibility to protect our residents and bind the hands of law enforcement strictly in the name of civil rights. There is no civility there."

The data will be made available to the public as part of an annual report, officials said.

What to know about Paul Miller

Miller was driving on Route 33 in Hamilton Township on July 5, 2010 when a tractor trailer driver was distracted and crossed the center grass divider of the highway, crashing head-on into Miller's car and another van. He died from his injuries.

His mother, Eileen Miller, wanted to make sure the East Stroudsburg University student, who was studying sociology and criminal justice and had a promising life and career ahead of him, did not die in vain.

“Nearly 15 years ago, two Dunmore state troopers knocked on my door to tell me that my son was killed,” Eileen Miller said. “My son did everything right – he was killed by someone else’s unsafe choices behind the wheel."

Paul's mother became a steady national advocate of the legislation in the years following his death, and eventually worked with State Sen. Rosemary Brown to create a distracted driving bill and bring it through the Pennsylvania legislature and to Gov. Josh Shapiro's desk.

It was signed into law in 2024.

Related: New Law For All PA Drivers Starts Next Month, Violators To Face Fines