Latest news with #PaulMillerLaw
Motor 1
11-06-2025
- Automotive
- Motor 1
‘I'm Too Busy Eating': What Is Paul Miller's Law and Why Does It Mean You May Be Much More Likely to Get Pulled Over?
One of the golden rules of driving is to always keep your eyes on the road, avoid any distractions, and ensure that full presence is on the task at hand. This rule used to be easier, but when phones became smart, eyes started drifting away from roads to screens. Phones now have everything. Your phone is now your GPS, music player, email, and social media source, all in one. It also has countless apps to grab your attention. It's become habitable to reach for your phone during downtime, which has led to an increase in distracted driving. Well, checking your phone while driving will start to have more consequences with the new Paul Miller's Law going into place. In a TikTok with nearly 7.9M views, JoJo (@jojoonthegogotravels) shares all the details you'll want to know about the Paul Miller Law and the potential fines associated if caught breaking it. What Is the Paul Miller Law? In her post, JoJo reveals that Pennsylvania put the Paul Miller Law into effect on June 5th, with 30 other states already having 'no touch' laws in place. The Paul Miller Law bans drivers from using any handheld devices, including cell phones, while driving. This law allows police to pull over any driver using their phone while driving, and yes, this does include at red lights and stop signs. Pennsylvania has passed this law, with it going into effect on June 5. The law is named after Paul Miller , who was tragically killed in a car accident with tractor tractor-trailer truck in July 2010. The tractor-trailer driver lost control of the truck while reaching for his cell phone and crashed into Paul Miller's car. Miller's mother made it her mission to ban any use of handheld devices while driving to avoid more crashes. After years of lobbying and fighting to make this into a law, she succeeded. Pennsylvania officials are excited to pass this law and believe it'll save many lives. 'Paul Miller's Law is about saving lives," said Pennsylvania Department of Transportation Secretary Mike Carroll. "Your choices behind the wheel can change lives forever. Make the safe choice. Put your phone out of reach and don't text and drive. One text, one glance down—it could kill someone. And it's not worth it." Under Paul Miller's Law, drivers can still use their phones to alert emergency responders. The law also notes that it is okay to make phone calls, use a GPS, and listen to music if hands-free technology is used. What Happens If You Get Caught Checking Your Phone While Driving With This New Law? Starting June 5, Pennsylvania law enforcement will begin issuing written warnings for violating Paul Miller's Law. If law enforcement sees you on your phone, they can pull you over. Citations and fees will go into effect on June 6, 2026. These fines will start at $50 plus court costs and other fees. Getting caught will not affect your driver's record for non-commercial drivers. Distractions Are Everywhere and Can Be Deadly There is no denying that distractions are everywhere when driving. Whether it's using your cell phone, adjusting the GPS, doing your makeup, eating, or changing the song, these actions could become deadly. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reported that over 3,000 deaths occurred in 2023 due to distracted driving, with 8% of fatal crashes in 2023 involving distracted drivers. Additionally, 324,819 were injured in distraction-related crashes in 2023. Another study conducted by AAA revealed that six out 10 teen driving accidents were caused by distracted driving. As technology continues to advance, more awareness around distracted driving needs to be considered. By implementing laws such as Paul Miller's Law, we're taking steps in the right direction. What Did Viewers Think? 'All the cops that pass me are texting on their phones' one commented. 'But we can touch these massive screens in cars,' a second added. 'That's fine I'm too busy eating while putting my makeup on,' another joked. 'Let me get this straight. I can touch my car screen that duplicates my phone screen. But I can't do the exact same thing on my phone,' a further commenter questioned. Motor1 has contacted Jojo via Instagram and TikTok direct message. We'll be sure to update this article when we hear back. List of 31 States with No Touch Law Alabama Arizona California Colorado Connecticut Delaware Georgia Hawaii Idaho Illinois Indiana Iowa Maine Maryland Massachusetts Michigan Minnesota Missouri Nevada New Hampshire New Jersey New York Ohio Oregon Pennsylvania Rhode Island Tennessee Vermont Virginia Washington West Virginia Now Trending 'I Haven't Seen This Car Before:' Mechanic Works on Customer's Ford. Then He Takes a Closer Look at the Windshield Sticker Woman Doesn't Want to Get Taken Advantage of at the Mechanic. So She Puts on a Disguise Get the best news, reviews, columns, and more delivered straight to your inbox, daily. back Sign up For more information, read our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use . Share this Story Facebook X LinkedIn Flipboard Reddit WhatsApp E-Mail Got a tip for us? Email: tips@ Join the conversation ( )
Yahoo
09-06-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Drivers and passengers react to new ‘Paul Miller Law' effective last week
BLAIR COUNTY, Pa. (WTAJ) — Drivers and some passengers are sharing their thoughts on the newest law in Pennsylvania, the Paul Miller Law. Signed by Governor Josh Shapiro last year, the new hands-free law bans hand-held cell phone use while driving and increases transparency and accountability at traffic stops. It went into effect on Thursday, June 5. The law is named after Paul Miller Jr., a 21 year-old killed after a tractor-trailer driver who was reaching for his cell phone lost control and crashed head-on into Miller's car. 'It takes five seconds to crash and it's a split hot second,' Driver Jeanette Swabley said. Paul Miller's Law also makes it illegal to use a cell phone even while stopped temporarily because of traffic or a red light. Swabley also works as an LPN in an emergency room. She encourages her children and herself not to use phones while driving. 'I see what happens when you are a distracted driver and have an accident. So I would rather not see you there. So please stay off your phones,' Swabley said. Aubree Bloom is working on getting her permit, so she can learn how to drive. Although she's not on the road yet, she thinks the law is a good idea, and drivers should ask the passenger to communicate for them. 'I feel like that people who are distracted by their phones have a better chance of getting involved in a crash, and like, you might they might get in an injury or maybe even death,' Bloom said. According to PennDOT data, in 2024, there were 9,950 crashes involving a distracted driver, resulting in more than 6,000 injuries and 49 fatalities. Savannah Metz rides in the passenger seat. She admits she's traveled in a car where someone has been distracted by their phone, but says it hasn't affected her. 'I think personally that it's okay because, like, what if you get a call and it's an emergency, and especially being like the parent of a child, I want to know if something's going on with my baby,' Metz said. The law allows some exceptions for drivers, such as calling 911 to report an emergency or if a driver pairs their cell phone to Bluetooth or CarPlay. Drivers can also use their devices if the vehicle is safely pulled off the road and not moving. Written warnings will be issued to drivers until June 5, 2026. After that date, violators will face a $50 fine, plus court costs and other fees. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
05-06-2025
- Yahoo
Pennsylvania law banning cell phone use while driving now in effect
Whether you're driving or stopped at a light, you can now be pulled over for calling, navigating or even holding your phone. The Paul Miller Law went into effect at midnight on June 5. Miller was killed by a distracted driver at just 21 years old in Northeastern Pennsylvania. Now, 15 years later, after the work of his family, a law to protect others is in place. During the law's first year, drivers will get a written warning. Then in 2026, the violation increases to a $50 fine. This law forces drivers to be off all electronic devices while driving, at a stop sign and even while waiting at a stoplight. If you are touching a device, you can be pulled over. Download the FREE WPXI News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Channel 11 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch WPXI NOW
Yahoo
05-06-2025
- Yahoo
Cracking down on distracted driving with Paul Miller's Law
(WBRE/WYOU) — According to Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) data, in 2024, there were nearly 10,000 crashes involving a distracted driver, resulting in more than 6,000 injuries and 49 deaths. Paul Miller's Law will take effect on Thursday. Under this new law, if you have your phone in your hand, for any reason, while driving, you could face consequences. Effective June 5, 2025, Paul Miller's Law makes it illegal to hold your cellphone while driving. 'The short version is you just can't be holding your phone or physically touching it. The only things you can do is if you're getting a phone call, if your car has a button on it's radio display or on its steering wheel, you can still use that function to answer the phone, but you still can't physically touch the phone itself,' Pennsylvania State Police (PSP) Troop P Wilkes-Barre Public Information Officer Trooper Bill Evans explained. Texting while driving is already illegal in PA, but troopers say it's been tricky to enforce. Police chief backs regionalization for departments 'Before this law we used to always have a texting and driving law that said you couldn't text and drive, but there was almost a seemingly built in loophole to that law that would allow people to say that, you know, instead of making a text they were sending a phone call and there was nothing we could do to really prove that beyond a reasonable doubt,' Trooper Evans stated. Paul Miller's Law comes after years of efforts from lawmakers and Eileen Miller, who has been tirelessly advocating for change after her son Paul was killed by a distracted driver back in 2010. PSP says Paul Miller's law will help them keep the roads safer. 'We're happy that we finally got to this point thanks to the Paul Miller Law, thanks to Paul Miller's mother, Eileen, who was a big advocate in making this law happen. Ultimately, our goal as state troopers on the interstates and on the highways is to get the total number of crashes down to zero, and one thing that's going to help eliminate crashes is curbing distracted driving,' Trooper Evans continued. Police plan to enforce this visually while on patrol. For the first year the law is in effect, offenders will receive a warning. Starting June 5, 2026, if you are caught with a phone in hand, you'll receive a fine. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
30-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Erie law enforcement express importance of new Paul Miller law
A new law banning handheld cell phone use while driving, known as 'Paul Miller's Law,' will take effect in Pennsylvania on June 5. The legislation, signed by Governor Josh Shapiro, aims to reduce distracted driving incidents by prohibiting the use of any handheld devices while operating a vehicle. This law is named in memory of Paul Miller Jr., who tragically lost his life in a distracted driving accident in 2010. Paul Miller Law goes into effect soon, here's what to know Under the new law, drivers will be prohibited from using handheld devices even when stopped at a red light or stop sign. For the first year, law enforcement officers will issue written warnings to violators. However, starting June 6, 2026, officers will begin issuing summary citations. Rick Lorah, Deputy Chief of Police in the City of Erie, emphasized the importance of the law, stating, 'It's just not worth it, that text message is not worth your life and that text message is not worth the life of another.' Millcreek Township Chief of Police Carter Mook expressed support for the law, noting that it will aid enforcement efforts by eliminating previous exceptions that made it difficult to regulate phone use while driving. Presque Isle beaches named among most underrated in the US The law allows for emergency calls and the use of hands-free technology, providing some flexibility for drivers who need to communicate while on the road. With the implementation of 'Paul Miller's Law,' Pennsylvania aims to enhance road safety by curbing distracted driving, potentially saving lives and preventing accidents. As the law takes effect, drivers are encouraged to adopt safer practices, such as using hands-free devices or designating a passenger to handle phone communications. All facts in this report were gathered by journalists employed by WJET/WFXP. Artificial intelligence tools were used to reformat from a broadcast script into a news article for our website. This report was edited and fact-checked by WJET/WFXP staff before being published. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
