Latest news with #PaulMillersLaw
CBS News
02-07-2025
- Automotive
- CBS News
Busy day expected on Pennsylvania highways as travelers hit the road for 4th of July weekend
It's going to be a busy day on Pennsylvania highways as travelers hit the road for the 4th of July holiday weekend. Nearly six million drivers are expected to use the Pennsylvania Turnpike through the holiday travel period. With the 4th of July falling on a Friday this year, the Turnpike say it's expected to be nearly 3.5% busier on the highway this year compared to last year. Today is expected to be the second busiest of the holiday travel period with 650,000 drivers using the Pennsylvania Turnpike. Another 685,000 are expected to be on the Turnpike tomorrow. With the increased traffic on the Turnpike, officials say that all road construction and maintenance projects have been paused through Sunday evening to make sure as many lanes on the highway are open as possible. According to AAA, the best time to be on the road today is before 12 p.m. with the worst times are between 12 p.m. and 9 p.m. Pennsylvania State Police troopers will be upping their coverage of the roadways this week to ensure people are obeying the speed limits and the rules of the road while driving responsibly. This holiday travel season marks the first with Paul Miller's Law in effect in Pennsylvania, which prohibits the use of handheld devices while driving or temporarily stopped.
CBS News
26-06-2025
- Automotive
- CBS News
Pennsylvania Turnpike officials expecting busy holiday travel period
Pennsylvania Turnpike officials expect a busy travel period heading into the Fourth of July weekend. The Turnpike projects that more than 5.88 million motorists will be traveling on the Turnpike system from Friday, June 27, through Sunday, July 6. This is a projected increase of 3.4% compared to last year's traffic tally during the same 10-day period, according to a provided news release. Officials project the busiest day of holiday-related travel on Friday, June 27, with an estimated 725,000 motorists hitting the roads. All roadway construction and maintenance projects will be suspended beginning Friday, June 27, at 5 a.m. and remain suspended until Sunday, July 6, at 11 p.m. to ensure as many lanes as possible remain open. Turnpike safety Pennsylvania State Police Troop T will have extra patrols during the holiday period to ensure drivers are obeying the rules of the road while driving responsibly. This Fourth of July also marks the first major holiday travel period since "Paul Miller's Law" went into effect across Pennsylvania, prohibiting the use of handheld devices while driving, even when stopped temporarily due to traffic, a red light, or other momentary delay. Drivers are always encouraged to practice safe driving habits, including driving responsibly, powering off their devices and removing unnecessary distractions. If you see an emergency responder on the road, follow Pennsylvania's "Move Over" law and move over into an adjacent lane if it is safe to do so, or slow down to at least 20 mph below the posted speed limit.
CBS News
05-06-2025
- Automotive
- CBS News
Pennsylvania law banning handheld devices while driving takes effect today
Pennsylvania's law that bans using handheld devices while driving takes effect today. The new law, known as Paul Miller's Law, says that picking up your phone for any reason while you're behind the wheel of your vehicle is illegal. The law comes after a man by the name of Paul Miller was killed in a vehicle crash in Monroe County in 2010 when a tractor-trailer driver reached for their phone while driving. The law bans using hand-held devices while driving and this includes when stopped at a red light, in a traffic delay, or during a momentary stop. Phones can still be used in hands-free technology is in place, allowing drivers to use GPS, be on a phone call, or listen to music. One exception in the law allows drivers who are experiencing an emergency situation to call law enforcement or emergency services. If drivers are caught with their phone in their hand, for the first year, it will be a written warning. Starting next year, there will be a $50 fine and court costs. A death by vehicle could include up to five years in jail. The law is enforceable by police as a primary offense, meaning drivers can be pulled over solely for using their phone.
Yahoo
01-06-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Pennsylvania's distracted driving law soon takes effect: This Week in Pennsylvania
(WHTM) – On This Week in Pennsylvania, Dennis Owens highlights a new law that will affect drivers across Pennsylvania. Eileen Miller lost her 21-year-old son, Paul, to a distracted tractor-trailer driver. After years of advocating for change, 'Paul Miller's Law' will go into effect on June 5, 2025. The law prohibits the use of handheld devices while driving or stopped at a stoplight. Pennsylvanians who violate this law will be fined $50. Eileen Miller joins This Week in Pennsylvania to discuss the new law and what's next in her mission against distracted driving. Every week, This Week in Pennsylvania gives a comprehensive look at the week's biggest news events in Pennsylvania, provided by the abc27 News team, along with the latest updates on local stories. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Check your local listings for weekly air times. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
CBS News
24-05-2025
- Automotive
- CBS News
Pennsylvania law banning handheld devices while driving takes effect in June
New law banning cellphone use while driving in Pennsylvania takes effect in June New law banning cellphone use while driving in Pennsylvania takes effect in June New law banning cellphone use while driving in Pennsylvania takes effect in June If you're traveling this Memorial Day weekend, Pennsylvania State Police and AAA want drivers to practice following a new rule of the road that takes effect soon. Paul Miller's Law in Pennsylvania A new law called Paul Miller's Law is putting the brakes on a bad habit. Starting June 5, it'll be illegal to use your cellphone and other electronics while driving. "No body part can maintain that phone. So, it's not just holding it. I know a lot of drivers put their phone on their lap, and that's going to be illegal here in a couple weeks," said Pennsylvania State Police Trooper Rocco Gagliardi. "You are still not allowed to pull up that device at a red light, stuck in traffic. That law is very lengthy and real specific," Gagliardi said. "If you want to make that phone call, if you want to be on that phone, you want to play your mobile app, whatever it is, pull off into a parking lot, on a shoulder of the road, you can put your hazards on," he added. Trooper Gagliardi said if you have your phone mounted in your car, you are allowed to accept the call with one push of a button. Texting while driving is already illegal in Pennsylvania. What is Paul Miller's Law? The law is named after Paul Miller Jr., who was killed in a crash in Monroe County after a tractor-trailer driver reached for their phone while driving. Drivers KDKA spoke with in Pittsburgh on Friday said they're on board with the law. "You can't see the road and your phone at the same time," said Kimari Coker. "I've almost gotten into an accident because people aren't paying attention on the road and they're on their phones," said Terry Thomas. "It'll encourage more safety within the community and make sure everyone's being held responsible for their actions," said Jack Forsythe. The state police and AAA have spent a lot of time educating people about the dangers of distracted driving and the new rules. "You take your eyes off the road for a couple of seconds, it's like driving the length of a football field with a blindfold on," said Jim Garrity, director of public affairs of AAA East Central. Now it's time for enforcement. "If someone is using a GPS and they don't have a holder to place it," said Jasmine Harrington, "how are they going to know if it's in your hand?" For the first year, the penalty is a written warning. Then, starting June 5, 2026, it's a summary offense with a $50 fine, as well as court costs and other fees. "We're going to be looking for it, and we're going to have to take that enforcement action," Trooper Gagliardi said. There is an exception in the law. Drivers are allowed to use their phones in an emergency to call law enforcement or other emergency services.
