As of June, a Rule in Pennsylvania Will Not Allow Anyone to Use a Cell Phone While Driving at All

Cambria County, Pennsylvania — If you are driving in Pennsylvania after June, a new rule says that you could be pulled over by police if you have your phone in your hand.

Texting while driving was already against the law in Pennsylvania, but Governor Josh Shapiro made it illegal to use any kind of cell phone while driving.

As long as a driver has a cell phone in their hand, “Paul Miller’s Law” says they can get a ticket.

The law is named after a guy who died in a tractor trailer accident caused by a driver who was not paying attention. Its goal is to reduce the number of deaths caused by drivers who are not paying attention.

The law will be enforced for the first time on June 5, 2025. People who break it will get a warning for the first year.

Cambria County District Attorney Greg Neugebauer said, “Obviously, you are still allowed to use your Bluetooth in your car.” “That’s still okay.” For some reason, you are not allowed to touch the phone in your hand.

One criminal defense lawyer thinks that the law will be good, but they don’t understand how it will be applied.

Everyone doesn’t like it when people drive while distracted, so the rule is good. “The question is how it will be enforced and other things like that,” said Art McQuillan, a criminal defense lawyer. “And most of the time, I think we’ve all been driving and seen someone in front of us holding a phone: if we pass them on the expressway, we know they’re distracted.” The police have passed this law to try to stop people from driving while distracted in this way.

PennDOT data shows that careless drivers caused more than 11,000 accidents statewide in 2023, and 63 of those accidents killed someone.

“I believe everyone knows someone who has been in an accident.” He said, “That’s someone who is texting or on the phone’s fault.” “Obviously, as police officers, we see people die because of this.” Laws only serve to confirm what most people already know to be true.

When this rule is broken in June 2026, the fine will go up to $50 plus court costs and other fees.