A law meant to cut down on distracted driving crashes and incidents is set to go into effect in Pennsylvania.

“Paul Miller’s Law,” which was signed last year by Gov. Josh Shapiro, makes it illegal to use handheld devices while driving. Enforcement begins June 5.

What is Paul Miller’s Law?

Under the law, it will be illegal for motorists to use a handheld device while driving, even while stopped temporarily due to traffic or a red light, according to a news release from Shapiro’s office.

The new law follows a texting-while-driving ban in the state, which has been in effect for years.

How will it be enforced?

Police will begin enforcing the new law by issuing warnings starting June 5. They will be able to issue summary citations for the offense beginning June 6, 2026. Those found guilty must pay a fine of $50.

Are there exceptions to the law?

Drivers are still able to use handheld devices while driving to alert emergency responders. They can also make calls, use a GPS and listen to music if the device is connected to hands-free technology.

Why is it called Paul Miller’s law?

The law is named after Paul Miller, a 21-year-old East Stroudsburg University student who died after a distracted driver hit his vehicle in Monroe County in 2010. The driver was reaching for his phone when he hit Miller’s vehicle. The driver pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 12 to 36 months in prison.

Paul Miller’s mother, Eileen Miller, has become an advocate for stronger laws to stop distracted driving.

How common are distracted driving crashes?

PennDOT officials noted that distracted driving crashes often go underreported because drivers are reluctant to admit to being distracted when a crash happened. There were 9,950 crashes involving a distracted driver in Pennsylvania, according to the release. Those crashes caused 6,000 injuries and 49 deaths, officials said.

In Lehigh and Northampton counties there were nearly 3,000 distracted driving-related crashes between 2020 and 2024, according to PennDOT data. There were roughly 484 last year alone, which resulted in four deaths and nine serious injuries.

Lehigh County ranked among the top 10 counties for distracted driving offenses between 2020 and 2024, according to the Administrative Office of Pennsylvania Courts.

How can drivers avoid using their phone while driving?

Officials with Shapiro’s office urge drivers to pull over and park in a safe location if they are expecting a text message or need to send one. Additionally, drivers can also ask a passenger to be a “designated texter,” to respond to texts or calls, the release states.

Drivers can also turn their phones on “do not disturb” to prevent notifications and other distractions from appearing while they are on the road.

This Lehigh Valley county ranked among the top 10 in Pa. for distracted drivers