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Pa.’s new distracted driving law takes effect in June: What you need to know

Updated: May. 15, 2025, 6:43 a.m.

Distracted Driving
A coming Pennsylvania law prohibits drivers from using “interactive mobile devices” while driving, even while stopped at a red light.

By Madison Montag | mmontag@pennlive.com

Starting this summer, drivers in Pennsylvania will have to be extra mindful about using their cellphones while driving.

Pennsylvania’s new Distracted Driving Law, also known as Paul Miller’s Law, will go into effect on June 5. The law prohibits drivers from using “interactive mobile devices” while driving, even while stopped at a red light.

The law defines the use of a mobile device as follows:

“Using at least one hand to hold, or supporting with another part of the body, an interactive mobile device, dialing or answering an interactive mobile device by pressing more than a single button, or reaching for an interactive mobile device that requires a driver to maneuver so that the driver is no longer in a seated driving position, restrained by a seat belt.”

From June 5, 2025 to June 5, 2026, drivers will be issued a written warning if they are found to be using a cellphone while driving.

Starting June 5, 2026, the summary offense will carry a $50 fine plus court costs and other fees.

However, if a distracted driver is convicted of homicide by vehicle while using a mobile device, they might be sentenced up to an additional five years in prison.

The law states that drivers are permitted to use their mobile devices if their vehicle is safely stopped to the side of or off a highway/roadway.

The hands-free law allows drivers to use a mobile device when it is necessary to communicate with a law enforcement official or other emergency service to prevent injury or damage.

The law also prohibits any driver from using a mobile device to send, read or write any text-based communication while their vehicle is in motion.

The law defined “text-based communications” as “a text message, instant message, email or other written communication composed or received on an interactive mobile device.”

Additionally, the law “supersedes and preempts” all local ordinances that restrict the use of interactive wireless devices by drivers.

Those found sending, reading or writing text-based communications while driving will face a summary offense and a $50 fine, plus court costs and other fees.

No driver’s license points will be assessed under the texting-while-driving law.

For non-commercial drivers, instances will not be recorded on their driving record. Infringements for commercial drivers will be recorded as a non-sanction violation.

The texting-while-driving ban does not apply to the use of “a GPS device, a system or device that is physically or electronically integrated into the vehicle, or a communications device that is affixed to a mass transit vehicle, bus or school bus.”

While cellphones are one of the most common distractions while driving, there are many factors that can impact your reaction time while driving, including:

Eating, drinking and smoking. These all create safety problems because they often require you to take your hands off the wheel and take your eyes off the road. Drivers who eat or drink while driving have trouble controlling their vehicle, staying in their lane and have to brake more often.

Adjusting the radio, cassette or CD player.

Talking, texting or emailing on a cellphone or smartphone.

Interacting with other passengers. This is particularly a problem for novice or teenage drivers. If you are a teen driver with other teens as passengers, statistics show you are more likely to have a crash than if you are driving alone or are driving with adult passengers.

Searching for or moving an object in the vehicle.

Reading or writing.

Personal grooming (combing hair, applying makeup).

Rubbernecking when passing a crash scene or a work zone.

Looking at people, objects or events taking place off the roadway.

The legislation was named after Paul Miller Jr., a 21-year-old man who was killed in 2010 by a driver distracted by a phone.

Miller was driving north on Route 33 in Hamilton Township on July 5, 2010, when a southbound tractor-trailer veered into oncoming traffic, hitting Miller’s vehicle and a van head-on.