(File Photo of Someone Texting on a Phone while Driving)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Harrisburg, PA) Pennsylvania drivers will face fines starting June 5th if they are caught using handheld devices behind the wheel. The enforcement follows the implementation of Paul Miller’s law, which aims to curb distracted driving across the state. Governor Josh Shapiro signed the bill into law in 2024, making it illegal to use a hand-held device while driving, even when a vehicle is temporarily stopped for traffic or red lights. Motorists are still permitted to use hands-free technology for music, navigation and phone calls, or to contact authorities during emergencies while hand-held use of these devices is prohibited. Pennsylvania State Police officials confirmed that the conclusion of a designated warning period will lead to active citations for motorists. The law is named in honor of Paul Miller Jr., who was killed in a 2010 crash in Monroe County involving a tractor-trailer. The crash was caused by a distracted driver who was reaching for a phone.