Pennsylvania Bans Handheld Phone Use While Driving

Starting June 5, 2025, Pennsylvania's Paul Miller’s Law will ban drivers from using handheld phones for any reason, including at stoplights or in traffic, extending previous texting bans to cover all handheld phone use. Named after Paul Miller, who was killed by a distracted truck driver in 2010, the law aims to reduce distracted driving incidents. During the first year, police may stop violators and issue written warnings, with $50 fines beginning in June 2026. Hands-free options like Bluetooth and mounted devices remain permitted, and emergency calls are exempt. The initiative has support from state officials and advocates, including Paul Miller's mother, following over 11,000 distracted driving crashes and 65 deaths in Pennsylvania in 2023. Pennsylvania joins 35 other states with similar bans, seeking to encourage safer driving habits.