Police to begin full enforcement of cellphone ban while driving
Drivers across Pennsylvania will face increased penalties for using mobile devices while driving as Paul Miller’s Law – which was passed in 2024 but enforced on a limited basis during an initial warning period – will take full effect starting June 5.
Police will issue traffic citations for $50 plus court costs and fees for motorists who use cellphones and other devices while driving, even while stopped temporarily due to traffic, a red light or other delays.
Drivers can still use their phones to alert authorities in the event of an emergency and use hands-free technology to make phone calls, use a GPS and listen to music, according to a release from the governor’s Office.
The commonwealth has enforced a separate texting while driving ban since 2011.
“Your choices behind the wheel can change lives forever,” Mike Carroll, secretary of the state Department of Transportation, said in the release. “Distracted driving is not only dangerous, but also illegal. This National Distracted Driving Awareness Month, we are asking all drivers to commit to putting the phone away while driving.”
Accidents resulting from distracted driving relating to cellphones has been a persistent problem ever since the devices became ubiquitous nearly two decades ago.
According to PennDOT data, there were 9,950 crashes involving a distracted driver resulting in more than 6,000 injuries and 49 fatalities in 2024 alone.
“Distracted driving crash data is believed to be underreported due to many drivers’ reluctance to admit to being distracted at the time of a crash,” said PennDOT Safety Press Officer Emily Stambaugh.
Stambaugh said there were 574 crashes involving a distracted driver that resulted in four fatalities in 2024 across District 12, which covers Greene, Fayette, Washington and Westmoreland counties.
Citation data from PA Courts InfoShare indicates that there were 9,782 distracted driving offenses between 2021 and 2025. Of those, 126 citations were filed in Washington County; 91 in Fayette County; and 41 in Greene County.
The PA Courts data shows that 60% of the offenders were in their 20s or 30s, and 70% were male. Most offenses occur between 2 and 4 p.m.
“As the warning period for Paul Miller’s Law concludes, troopers will begin issuing citations to drivers using handheld devices behind the wheel,” Pennsylvania State Police Acting Commissioner Lt. Col. George L. Bivens said in the statement. “Distracted driving is dangerous and significantly increases the risk of crashes. Just a moment of inattention can lead to life-altering consequences. The PSP urges all motorists to put their phones down, stay focused, and help keep Pennsylvania’s roadways safe.”
Paul Miller was killed in 2010 when a distracted driver crossed the center line and struck Miller’s car head-on.