State College, PA – On Monday, representatives from the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT), the Highway Safety Network (HSN), and Ferguson Township Police gathered to urge drivers to put down the phone while driving or face a fine under “Paul Miller’s Law.” The law, which went into effect last year, prohibits the use of hand-held devices while driving, even while stopped temporarily due to traffic, a red light, or other delays. Drivers can still use their phones to alert authorities in the event of an emergency and use hands-free technology to make phone calls, use a GPS, and listen to music.
Beginning June 6, 2026, drivers convicted of using a hand-held device while driving will pay a $50 fine, plus court costs and other fees. Pennsylvania also enforces a texting-while-driving ban that prohibits drivers from using mobile devices to send, read, or write text-based communications while their vehicle is in motion. Additionally, depending on the circumstances, drivers who violate Paul Miller’s Law or the texting-while-driving ban may also be convicted of Homicide by Vehicle or Aggravated Assault by Vehicle, and given increased sentences.
“The privilege of possessing a driver’s license comes with a high-level of responsibility,” said Josh Woods, HSN Community Traffic Safety Project Coordinator. “For the safety of everyone on our highways, every driver is responsible for keeping their total focus on the road in order to maintain complete control of their vehicle at all times. This law will help us all remain accountable and focused while behind the wheel.”
Ferguson Township Police Seargeant Ryan Hendrick noted that message boards have been placed along busy routes in Ferguson Township and the State College Area reminding drivers of the new law. The boards, along Atherton Street, Route 26, and other roadways read, “Phone down. It’s the Law.” Hendrick said, “Centre County law enforcement asks all drivers to put your phones down so we can all get home safely.”
The law is named for Paul Miller, Jr., who was tragically killed in a crash with a tractor trailer in 2010 in Monroe County, as the result of a distracted driver who reached for their phone while driving. Since his death, Paul’s mother Eileen Miller has become a national advocate for stronger laws to curb distracted driving.
According to PennDOT data, in 2025 there were 9,419 crashes involving a distracted driver, resulting in more than 5,500 injuries and 54 fatalities. Distracted driving crash data is believed to be underreported due to many drivers’ reluctance to admit to being distracted at the time of a crash.
Cell phone use is not the only distraction while driving. Anything that takes your attention away from driving, your eyes off the road, or your hands off the wheel is a distraction. Driver behavior is the leading factor in 83% of the fatal crashes that occur annually in Pennsylvania. These behaviors include driving distracted, impaired, aggressively, and others.
For more information on distracted driving, visit pa.gov/dotsafety.
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CONTACT: Steve Harmic, sharmic@pa.gov or 814-496-6189.