Pennsylvania Distracted Driving Law

DISTRACTED DRIVING LAWS IN PENNSYLVANIA

Chief Legal Officer/ Chief Operating Officer and Owner Christine Zaremski-Young of Edgar Snyder & Associates joins Pittsburgh Today Live in this episode of Straight to the Point to discuss Pennsylvania’s newest effort to reduce distracted driving with Paul Miller’s Law. For more information, please watch the video below and explore our other blog posts to learn more about how these new laws could affect your daily commute or routine.

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WHAT IS PAUL MILLER'S LAW?

Paul Miller’s law is a distracted driving law in Pennsylvania aimed at reducing the number of accidents caused by distracted driving by imposing penalties for using an interactive mobile device while operating a motor vehicle. This law is named after the late Paul Miller, Jr., whose life was tragically lost in a tractor-trailer accident when the operator became distracted while reaching for his cellphone.

The law went into effect on June 5, 2025, and made the use of an interactive mobile device while operating a motor vehicle a primary traffic offense – in other words, the offense is serious enough that it alone warrants a stop by a law enforcement officer without needing another reason to do so.  Until June 5, 2026 (one year after the law is in effect), anyone found to be in violation of the law will be issued a written warning.  However, starting on June 5, 2026 anyone found to be in violation of the law will be fined $50, and if also convicted of other offenses additional prison time may be added up to 5 additional years.

Paul Miller’s law includes any interaction with a mobile device that would require any of the following:

• Using at least one hand to hold or support the device with another part of the body.
• Dialing or answering the device by pressing more than a single button.
• Reaching for the device in a way that requires the driver to maneuver so that the driver is no longer in a seated driving position.

Paul Miller’s Law also applies even when you’re at a temporary stop. Whether you’re stuck in standstill in traffic on I-376 or even checking a text at a red light downtown, you can still be pulled over by law enforcement.

WHY IS DISTRACTED DRIVING SO DANGEROUS?

Did you know that in just 5 seconds of going 55mph, you would’ve travelled the length of a football field, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration? Cell phones and other mobile devices have become such a huge part of our life that it’s hard to imagine leaving the house without them. Imagine you hop in the car and start driving to your destination when suddenly you get a text from a friend, an email from work, or the desire to change the song that’s playing. You might not think much of it but the time you spend with your eyes off the road can spell disaster for yourself and others.

The National Safety Council reports that approximately 1.6 million crashes occur each year due to drivers using their phones and texting while driving. From 2013 to 2022, over 1.2 million crashes took place in Pennsylvania alone, with over 130,000 of them being attributed to some form of distracted driving, and 573 being categorized as fatal, with 1765 deaths recorded according to PennDOT’s Pennsylvania Crash Information Tool.

The AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety also found that while roughly 93% of drivers identify cell phone use while driving as extremely dangerous, 27% admitted to having sent a text or email while driving, and 38% reported reading a text or email while driving. We already know that car accidents can lead to serious injuries and that taking your eyes off the road is incredibly dangerous, yet people still go out and put themselves and others at risk when they decide to check their phone while driving. If a distracted driver in Western Pennsylvania injured you, contact us today for a free consultation.

WHAT TO DO AFTER A DISTRACTED DRIVING ACCIDENT.

Your first priority after an accident is your safety. First, ensure you are out of harm’s way. Then, if possible, follow these steps to help protect yourself and your recovery.  

1. Call 911 for emergency assistance.
2. Do NOT admit fault or place blame.
3. Exchange insurance information with any drivers involved in the accident.
4. Gather contact information from everyone else at the scene. Witnesses can be crucial to confirm what happened.
5. Capture the details of the accident to the best of your ability while they are still fresh in your mind. Take pictures or videos, write down the details, or make voice recordings to outline as much of the situation as possible.
6. If a distracted driver in Western Pennsylvania injures you, seek medical treatment immediately to establish a documented record of your injuries.
7. Do NOT give a statement to the insurance company, whether it’s the other party's or yours, until AFTER you’ve spoken with a lawyer.
8. Contact Edgar Snyder & Associates for a free, no-obligation consultation with our experienced distracted driving accident attorneys.