Pennsylvania Cracks Down on Distracted Driving with New Law Taking Effect in 2025
PENNSYLVANIA, USA — Pennsylvania is making a bold move to boost road safety with a new distracted driving law set to roll out in 2025.
Beginning June 5, 2025, drivers across the state will be banned from using handheld phones while operating a vehicle — even when stopped at a red light.
The new measure, called Paul Miller’s Law, honors 21-year-old Paul Miller Jr., who tragically lost his life in 2010 after being hit by a driver distracted by a phone.
Under the law, motorists can’t hold their phones for any purpose — whether it’s texting, calling, scrolling, or checking social media. Exceptions apply for hands-free use through Bluetooth, voice commands, or dashboard systems, as well as for emergency calls.
“This new law is going to prevent [distracted driving],” said Fritzi Schreffler, spokesperson for PennDOT. “It’s going to try and cut down on having something in your hand that could distract you. We say ‘eyes on the road, hands on the wheel,’ and this really means it.”
The law includes a one-year grace period, where police will issue warnings instead of fines. By June 2026, full enforcement will begin, with violators facing a $50 fine.
According to PennDOT, this move is part of a broader strategy to cut down on crashes and deaths caused by distracted driving. In 2023, thousands of accidents in Pennsylvania were tied to phone use and other distractions behind the wheel.
Many locals say the change is long overdue.
“A lot of new cars let you connect to your phone, and I think if it’s important, you can stop and talk,” said Oksana Tsimmerman, a local driver. “Unless it’s an emergency, there’s no excuse to be holding your phone.”
To prepare drivers for the shift, PennDOT is rolling out a statewide awareness campaign. Both state and local law enforcement will take part in educating the public and issuing warnings during the transition.
“It’s going to be another year of us educating,” said Schreffler. “We hope that when drivers get pulled over and receive a warning, it’ll make them think twice before doing it again. That’s really what we want— change the behavior before it becomes a ticket.”
For the Miller family and supporters, this legislation is deeply personal. After years of advocacy, they hope Paul Miller’s Law will help prevent other families from facing similar heartbreak.
As the countdown begins, state officials urge drivers to make the switch now — adopt hands-free tech, put the phone down, and help make Pennsylvania roads safer for everyone.
