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One Tap At A Red Light Could Soon Cost You $50 In PA


If you’re driving in Pennsylvania starting June 5, you’d better leave your phone alone while behind the wheel, or the police will be on you faster than you can say, “I didn’t touch my phone, officer!” A new law, called Paul Miller’s Law, bans the use of hand-held devices not just while driving, but even when stopped on the road, as local authorities aim to crack down on distracted driving.

The new law prohibits drivers from using what’s referred to as an ‘interactive mobile device’ while behind the wheel. This includes any smartphone, personal digital assistant, mobile computer, or similar device that can be used for communication, browsing the internet, playing games, or broadcasting videos. It doesn’t matter if you’re sitting in traffic, cruising down a highway, or resting at a traffic light or stop sign; it’ll soon be illegal to use one of these devices.

For the first twelve months, drivers nabbed interacting with a device will receive a written warning, but from June 5, 2026, they’ll receive a $50 fine, plus court costs and other fees. Importantly, the law does not apply to a vehicle’s built-in GPS or infotainment system.

If you desperately need to send a text or make a call while driving, you’ll only be allowed to do so if you pull to the side of or off a road and find somewhere safe to park. The law also permits the use of a mobile device if it’s being used for an emergency, like communication with a law enforcement official or another emergency service.

The law was introduced after years of campaigning by the mother of Paul Miller, Eileen. In 2010, Paul was killed when the Toyota Corolla he was driving was hit by the driver of a tractor-trailer who was reaching for a phone. According to the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation, distracted driving was cited in more than 11,200 crashes.

As part of the new law, any driver who is convicted of homicide by vehicle can receive an additional five years in prison if they were found to be driving while distracted.

Tn has had a similar law for several years. Like many laws it is not enforced.

Is it okay to mount your phone? Then maybe press a button to initiate a phone call or talk to text?

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Paul Miller’s Law, bans the use of hand-held devices not just while driving, but even when stopped on the road

I have a problem with "when stopped on the road".

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Importantly, the law does not apply to a vehicle’s built-in GPS or infotainment system.

That can be just as distracting.

So no using phone-based navigation apps? Just the shitty outdated, non-crowdsourced onboard ones?

And what about hands-free calling?

-Rob

What about when the nav system indicates there is congestion ahead and asks if you want to take this alternative faster route?

I got the intent but it's not pragmatic - these laws are all or nothing. There needs to be reasonable allowances.

What if there is road rage and you want to call 911 while not stopping for the road rager?

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Originally posted by konata88:

What if there is road rage and you want to call 911 while not stopping for the road rager?

From the article,

The law also permits the use of a mobile device if it’s being used for an emergency, like communication with a law enforcement official or another emergency service.

quote:

Originally posted by chellim1:

quote:

Paul Miller’s Law, bans the use of hand-held devices not just while driving, but even when stopped on the road

I have a problem with "when stopped on the road".

I really have no problem with that. Too many shitheads head down texting at red light, completely oblivious to the light turning green.

As you get a ticket from a guy whose front seat looks like this.

Virginia has had this law for a while. Our officers will write when appropriate. It is especially useful when establishing distracted driving that causes an accident.

What most people fail to understand is that officers are people too, and would completely recognize a need to contact 911 for any valid emergency such as a road rager. Laws are written to help society, and are enforced with equal justice for all. Officers have discretion, and good judgment.

quote:

Originally posted by BurtonRW:
So no using phone-based navigation apps? Just the shitty outdated, non-crowdsourced onboard ones?
And what about hands-free calling?
-Rob

I think people will continue to use phone-based navigation apps and hands-free calling.
I doubt many tickets will be issued.

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Originally posted by 4MUL8R:
Virginia has had this law for a while. Our officers will write when appropriate. It is especially useful when establishing distracted driving that causes an accident.

What most people fail to understand is that officers are people too, and would completely recognize a need to contact 911 for any valid emergency such as a road rager. Laws are written to help society, and are enforced with equal justice for all. Officers have discretion, and good judgment.

Well said. I think people get all worried about nothing.

What about using it to listen to music of books & pod casts?

Voice Control: iPhones running iOS 13 or later have a feature called Voice Control that lets you operate your device completely hands-free. You can turn it on via Settings > Accessibility > Voice Control

Therefore - no touching!

When I lived in Can-eh-duh, Alberta had the no texting while behind the wheel law. Two tickets that stuck in my memory:

My counterpart at the O&G consultant received a ticket for texting while stopped at a red light.

I believe this incident appeared on the news all over in North America. A cop gave a ticket to a driver who was texting in a Tim Horton's drive-thru lane (i.e. private property). The scuttlebutt was the driver acted like a raging asshole and that was the real reason for the ticket.

I say put together 2 officer teams in a squad car. One officer drives the other records. If they record you looking down at your phone, like all these distracted driver fucktwits do, instant arrest. $10,000 fine on par with DUI/DWI. Drop the hammer on these fuckers. It’s more dangerous than drinking and driving. Here where I live this is a MASSIVE problem. Lights turn green they don’t move. They drive 10 mph under the speed limit when it’s congested which equates to 20+ cars being stuck light after light after light. They swerve. They do this on the highway where the speed limit is 70 and they are doing 53 because they have look down at my precious and finger fuck it. Throw ‘em in jail. Phone mount on dash and changing music stations or Navigation stuff is not the same as holding my precious and looking down, taking your eyes off the road.

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Originally posted by cas:
As you get a ticket from a guy whose front seat looks like this.

I saw him about rear-end a car on RT 50 several years.

When stopped at a traffic light, always keep your foot on the brake to enable the brake lights because that is one of the ways to avoid being rear-ended by a cellphone driver.

I’m with Prefontaine on every point.

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Originally posted by 12131:
I’m with Prefontaine on every point.

Same. GA has the law, but it needs stricter enforcement. I drive a 2014 truck and can tell my phone what I need or poke it without holding it.

People need to remember that driving a vehicle on any roads be they local city streets / highways / freeways is a privilidge and not a right..... Follow all of the rules of the game or give up your ability to drive. ... If you do not like the rules / laws then advocate to the people capabile of making those changes actually make those changes. But be forewarned the new changes might be worse than the orginal.
................. drill sgt.