Electronic Handheld Devices and Driving

Have you ever used your phone while driving?

Looking at your phone for a few seconds doesn't seem like a big deal, right? Well, you’d be wrong. With the implementation of the brand new “Paul Miller’s Law,” you can see fines coming your way if you indulge in using your phone with driving. On this Pittsburgh Today Live’s (PTL) law segment “Straight to the Point,” Doug Olcott, Partner at Edgar Snyder & Associates, breaks down the new hands-free law so that PA residents can stay safe and informed on the road.

Effective since June 5th of 2026, “Paul Miller’s Law” gives police officers across the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania the authority to pull you over without an underlying cause if they see you on your phone while operating a motor vehicle and issue you a $50 fine.

“The way the existing law, Section 3316, provided you couldn’t text. You couldn't read. You couldn't send,” Doug explains. “Now it’s not just texting...It’s any use of that cell phone.”

PTL Host, Heather Abraham, chimes in and says, “this is just the stronger enforcement side.”

With the expansion of the previous law, you cannot touch your phone in any way while operating a vehicle. That means you can’t text, call, scroll, change music, add directions, along with many other reasons why you might touch your phone while operating a vehicle.

“Even if you are stopped at a stop sign. Even if you are stopped at a light. Even if you are stopped in traffic, you cannot be on your phone,” Doug adds.

However, you can still use the hands-free features on your steering wheel to make phone calls, change the volume, or even skip songs. As long as it doesn't involve the use of a handheld device.

While a $50 fine doesn’t seem like much, it’s more than just paying that price. “Paul Miller’s Law” draws upon “Daniel’s Law” which involved an unfortunate death and changed the potential criminal charges in a distracted driving accident. If you are ever responsible for a vehicular homicide while using a handheld device, you could find yourself in jail for up to five years.

“What people don’t realize is that statistics show that in five seconds, if you’re driving 55 miles per hour, you’ve covered Heinz Field or Acrisure Stadium,” Doug says.

A lot can happen in five seconds.

Mr. Miller was a 21-year-old who was struck head on when a commercial truck driver crossed over the median when trying to grab his phone, unfortunately taking his life.

“His mom, Eileen, and Paul’s family have advocated for this law. It’s been a long haul, but thankfully we got to the finish line and now we have a law with hopefully some teeth in it to make people a little more responsible and think about their consequences,” Doug says.

Have you heard about “Paul Miller’s Law” before today? Do you still have questions about the law itself?

Watch the full video here to get a full understanding of the new hands-free law now in effect.

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