In an effort to bolster road safety, the Shapiro Administration is actively promoting Paul Miller’s Law, a vital piece of legislation set to reshape driving habits across Pennsylvania. Signed into law by Governor Josh Shapiro on June 5, 2024, and effective from June 5, 2025, this law mandates a statewide ban on the use of handheld devices while driving, marking Pennsylvania as the 29th state to implement such a measure.
Named after Paul Miller Jr., who tragically lost his life in a 2010 crash caused by a distracted driver, the law underscores the lethal consequences of phone usage behind the wheel. Under the new regulation, drivers are prohibited from using handheld cell phones to make calls, use GPS, or listen to music while driving, although hands-free technology is permitted for these activities. This law builds on existing legislation that already prohibits texting while driving.
As part of Distracted Driving Awareness Month, recognized each April, the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT), Pennsylvania State Police (PSP), Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission (PA Turnpike), and Pennsylvania Insurance Department (PID) are uniting to drive home the message of safe driving. These efforts are supported by statements from key figures such as PennDOT Secretary Mike Carroll and PSP Commissioner Colonel Christopher Paris, who emphasize the irreversible impact of distracted driving on lives and advocate for consistent focus on the road.
The law received strong bipartisan support in the legislature, spearheaded by State Senator Rosemary Brown, who championed this commonsense policy as essential for public safety. With alarming statistics from PennDOT revealing that in 2023 alone, distracted driving was linked to over 11,000 crashes, nearly 6,700 injuries, and 65 fatalities in the state, the urgency of this law is clear.
For further information on safe driving practices and the benefits of adherence, Pennsylvanians are encouraged to visit www.PennDOT.pa.gov/safety. As the law’s implementation nears, residents are reminded of the simple yet powerful ways they can contribute to safer roads, such as utilizing the “Do Not Disturb” feature on mobile devices or designating a passenger as their “designated texter.”
