BRADFORD, Pa. — Paul Miller Jr. was just getting started. He was 21 years old in 2010 when a distracted driver who reached for a phone while driving crashed into his vehicle in Monroe County, tragically killing him.

“Nearly 15 years ago, two Dunmore state troopers knocked on my door to tell me that my son was killed,” said his mother, Eileen Miller. “My son did everything right — he was killed by someone else’s unsafe choices behind the wheel.”

Taking effect Thursday in Pennsylvania, Paul Miller’s Law prohibits the use of a hand-held device while driving, even while stopped temporarily due to traffic, a red light or other momentary delay.

“This law is for every family in Pennsylvania that doesn’t have to experience two state troopers knocking on their door to tell them that their loved one was killed by distracted driving,” Eileen Miller said. “Paul Miller’s Law will be a beacon of protection for every driver and passenger in Pennsylvania.”

Gov. Josh Shapiro signed the legislation, Senate Bill 37, into law on June 5, 2024. Beginning Thursday, law enforcement will begin issuing written warnings for violations of Senate Bill 37. Law enforcement will have the ability to issue summary citations to violators beginning June 6, 2026.

“For the first 12 months, officers will be investigating the violation but only issuing citations when a violation is found to have occurred,” McKean County District Attorney Stephanie Vettenburg-Shaffer said. “That does not mean, however, that officers cannot charge other offenses. I think we will see that the investigation into cell phone usage will often lead to other charges in that, while officers are at a vehicle investigating cell phone usage, they will discover evidence of other crimes such as drug possession, DUI or even trafficking.”

Officials said the law will also work to prevent bias in policing, by requiring law enforcement to collect data on drivers pulled over during traffic stops, including race, ethnicity and gender. The data will be made publicly available in an annual report.

Pennsylvania already 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. Under Paul Miller’s Law, drivers can still use their phones to alert emergency responders and, if they are using hands-free technology, to make phone calls, use a GPS and listen to music.

“The Pennsylvania State Police will enforce the new law to its full extent,” said PSP Commissioner Col. Christopher Paris. “Distracted driving is not a minor offense. Just one second of inattention can result in irreversible consequences. We urge all drivers to stay focused behind the wheel.”

New York already has strict distracted driving laws in place. The state has long prohibited the use of handheld devices while driving, with higher fines and stricter enforcement compared to Pennsylvania.

Shaffer said, “Each year officers here and elsewhere respond to serious crashes that result in the need for emergency medical treatment or that causes the death of an occupant of a vehicle. Many of the fatal crashes were the result of distracted driving or something other than impaired driving. Cell phones are an obvious distraction for drivers, making cell phone use restrictions important in preventing many would-be crashes.”

Bradford City Police Chief Mike Ward said, “Effective enforcement of this law is crucial to reducing accidents, injuries and fatalities caused by distracted driving incidents.”

He said the department will take a multi-faceted approach, including targeted patrols using both marked and unmarked vehicles, educational campaigns and proactive engagement with drivers.

“Ultimately, the goal of our efforts is to protect the safety and well-being of all residents and visitors in Bradford … to reduce accidents and save lives on our roadways.”

PennDOT Secretary Mike Carroll said, “Paul Miller’s Law is about saving lives. 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.”