(WKBN) – Before they get in their cars to go to work tomorrow morning, drivers in Pennsylvania need to put their phones down or face harsher consequences.
Starting Friday, a distracted driving law banning drivers from holding their phone while behind the wheel will go into full effect.
Paul Miller’s Law was established last year with a one-year warning period.
Now that a year has passed, violations will come with a $50 fine plus fees.
The law is named after Miller, who was killed by a distracted driver in 2010.
“We just want you to use hands-free technology,” Saxon Daugherty, a safety press officer for PennDOT District 1, said. ‘A lot of the newer vehicles have it integrated into cars, which is great, but you just cannot physically have the phone in your hand or any sort of electronic communication device at all when you’re driving. The only way it’s legal is if you safely pull off the road and you’re away from traffic like I am today.”
Ohio also has a similar distracted driving law prohibiting holding cell phones while driving that’s been in effect since 2023.
PennDOT officers recommend putting your phone on do not disturb while driving or giving it to a passenger.
Copyright 2026 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKBN.com.