What You Need to Know About Paul Miller’s Law

On June 5, 2025, Pennsylvania joined 29 other states in implementing a comprehensive ban on handheld device use while driving. Known as “Paul Miller’s Law,” this sweeping legislation doesn’t just prohibit texting while driving – it bans holding any electronic device while behind the wheel, even when stopped in traffic. For Pennsylvania drivers, this represents the most significant change to traffic laws in over a decade and a step toward making our roads safer for everyone.

Whether you’re adjusting to the new law or have been injured by someone who violated it, understanding your rights and responsibilities under Paul Miller’s Law is essential. If you were involved in a car accident with a distracted driver, contact the Pennsylvania car accident lawyers at Munley Law to schedule a free consultation.

The Story Behind the Distracted Driving Ban

Paul Miller’s Law is named in memory of a 21-year-old Scranton man named Paul Miller Jr., who was killed when a distracted tractor-trailer driver crossed the center divider and struck his vehicle head-on in the Poconos. His death became a rallying point for advocates pushing for stronger distracted driving legislation in Pennsylvania.

For over a decade, Paul’s parents, Eileen and Paul Sr., along with his sister Nicole, fought tirelessly to turn their tragedy into meaningful change. Their persistence finally paid off when Governor Josh Shapiro signed Senate Bill 37 into law on June 5, 2024.

Pennsylvania is the 29th state in the nation to ban distracted driving, joining a growing movement to prioritize road safety. While Pennsylvania had banned texting while driving since 2012, this comprehensive law closes loopholes and addresses all forms of handheld device use.

A Summary of Paul Miller’s Law

Pennsylvania’s new hands-free law completely bans using an interactive mobile device while driving. An interactive mobile device is broadly defined as:

A handheld telephone, personal digital assistant, smart phone, portable or mobile computer, or similar device which can be used for voice communication, texting, emailing, browsing the Internet, instant messaging, playing games, taking or transmitting images, recording or broadcasting videos, creating or sharing social media or otherwise sending or receiving electronic data.

This means drivers cannot use their devices while driving, even when temporarily stopped in traffic or at a red light. This includes talking, texting, emailing, browsing the internet, taking photos, or interacting with their phone.

Since this is a primary offense, police can stop drivers simply for having a mobile device in their hand while driving. For the first year the law is in effect, drivers will receive only a written warning. After June 5, 2026, you will receive a $50 fine, plus court costs and other fees.

However, if a driver is convicted of homicide by vehicle and driving while distracted, they may be sentenced up to an additional five years in prison.

Exceptions to the Distracted Driving Ban

While Paul Miller’s Law is comprehensive, there are some important exceptions that drivers should understand:

• Emergency Situations: You may use your handheld device to contact 911, police, or emergency services to prevent injury to persons or property. This is the only time you can legally handle your phone while driving physically.
• Safely Pulled Over: If you need to use your device, you must move your vehicle off the roadway or to the side of the highway and come to a complete stop in a safe location. Pulling into a parking lane or stopping on the shoulder may not qualify as “safely stationary.”
• Built-In Vehicle Systems: The law doesn’t apply to your car’s factory-installed navigation system, dashboard touchscreens, or other systems integrated with your vehicle, such as Apple CarPlay or Android Auto.
• Hands-Free Operation: You can still use your phone through hands-free Bluetooth calling, voice commands, or steering wheel controls. The key is that you cannot physically touch or hold the device while driving, and your eyes always remain on the road.

How the Distracted Driving Ban Can Affect Your Car Accident Claim

Despite the new law, distracted driving accidents will unfortunately continue to occur. If you or a loved one is injured in an accident involving a distracted driver, it’s essential to understand your rights and options.

Paul Miller’s Law creates clearer liability in distracted driving cases. When a driver violates this law and causes an accident, it establishes a strong foundation for proving negligence in a personal injury claim.

After an accident, evidence of distracted driving can be essential for your case. Police reports will now include violations of the hands-free law, phone records may be subpoenaed to show device usage at the time of the crash, and witness testimony about seeing a driver with a handheld device becomes more significant under the new legislation.

Victims of distracted driving accidents may be entitled to compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, property damage, and, in cases of permanent disability, future medical care and lost earning capacity. The violation of Paul Miller’s Law can strengthen these claims significantly.

If a distracted driver has injured you, it’s essential to seek medical attention immediately, contact law enforcement to file a report, document the scene and your injuries, and consult with an experienced Pennsylvania personal injury attorney who understands how the new law impacts your case.

The implementation of Paul Miller’s Law aims to prevent accidents and provides clearer recourse for those who suffer harm when others ignore the law. While we hope the legislation will reduce distracted driving incidents, victims of these preventable accidents deserve full compensation for their injuries and losses.

If you were involved in a car accident with a distracted driver anywhere in Pennsylvania, don’t wait. Contact the Pennsylvania car accident lawyers at Munley Law today to schedule a free consultation.