Pennsylvania’s hands-free driving law is officially in full effect, and so are the fines. Paul Miller’s Law changed how Pennsylvania drivers are allowed to use their cell phones behind the wheel. If you are seen holding a cell phone while in the driver’s seat, you can be pulled over and cited. The law was designed to combat distracted driving and put an end to the habit of fiddling with your phone to skip a song, start a podcast, or glance at GPS directions.
The violation is classified as a primary offense. That means police do not need another reason to pull you over. Seeing you interact with a handheld device is enough. Set your music, navigation, and calls before you leave home.
The law took effect June 5th, 2025 and included a one-year grace period during which police issued warnings to drivers caught holding phones. That grace period ended on June 5th, 2026. Any driver pulled over for holding a phone is now subject to a $50 fine.
And yes, we said holding. It is not a defense to say you were not actively using it, that you were only holding it without being distracted, or that you were stopped in traffic. If a phone is in your hand, whether you are moving, stopped at a red light, or crawling through congestion, you are subject to being pulled over and fined.
To learn more about the law and the Miller family’s fight to end distracted driving in Pennsylvania, read the story behind Paul Miller’s Law on the PennDOT website.
If you or a loved one has been injured in an auto collision, the attorneys at Graham & Mauer are here to help. Contact us today for a free consultation.
