Pennsylvania ban on handheld cellphone use while driving takes effect

PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) -- Pennsylvania drivers caught holding their phones while behind the wheel could now be pulled over, thanks to a new law.

Paul Miller's Law went into effect Thursday. It bans the use of handheld devices while operating a vehicle in Pennsylvania. Advocates, most notably, Paul Miller's mom, really believe this law will save lives.

"I was proud to be his mom. I loved him and I needed him to know that I was there," said Eileen Miller, who has been working toward the law for more than a decade. It's a promise fulfilled to her son after he was killed by a distracted driver.

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"I whispered in his ear that when I found out what caused that crash that I would fight for change. I just never thought it would take 12 years in Pennsylvania to get common-sense legislation," she said.

Paul Miller was a Scranton man who was killed in 2010 when a tractor-trailer driver reached for his phone and crashed head-on into Paul.

The now active law bans Pennsylvania drivers from using their handheld devices while driving.

"Driving would include anytime you are stationary, temporarily in traffic," said Myles Snyder, the communications director for Pennsylvania State Police.

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That includes when drivers are stopped at red lights. The law gives police the power to pull over any driver whom they see using their phones.

"I was surprised when I heard about it. I thought we already had that in place," said Jill Sterbakov from Drexel Hill. "I think too many people are distracted by their phone when they're driving, even at red lights. I see people playing with their phone, and I think it's really unsafe."

Eileen hopes this law will make Pennsylvania roads safer.

"We will be saving lives, and that was always my main goal," she said.

For the first year, if you get pulled over for holding your cellphone, you'll get a warning. Starting in 2026, it'll be a $50 fine.