Police Blotter February 20, 2025
Mill Hall Borough Police Department News:
Pennsylvania’s Distracted Driving Law
Known as Paul Miller’s Law, this law bans the use of hand-held devices while driving.
Effective June 5, 2025, the law prohibits as a primary offense any driver from using an interactive mobile device (IMD) while driving a motor vehicle.
The law:
– Defines an interactive mobile device as a handheld wireless telephone, personal digital assistant, smartphone, portable or mobile computer, or similar device that can be used for voice communication, texting, emailing, browsing the internet, instant messaging, playing games, taking or transmitting images, recording or broadcasting videos, creating or sharing social media or otherwise sending or receiving electronic data.
– Defines driving as operating a motor vehicle on a highway, including any time the motor vehicle is temporarily stationary because of traffic, a traffic control device (e.g., a traffic light or stop sign), or other momentary delay.
– Defines the use of an interactive mobile device as using at least one hand to hold, or support another part of the body, an interactive mobile device, dialing or answering an interactive mobile device by pressing more than a single button, or reaching for an interactive mobile device that requires a driver to maneuver so that the driver is no longer in a seated driving position, restrained by a seat belt.
Penalties Under this Law:
As a primary offense, drivers can be stopped by police if they have a mobile device in their hand while driving.
– For the first 12 months, the penalty is a written warning.
– Effective June 5, 2026, the penalty is a summary offense with a $50 fine plus court costs and other fees.
- If a driver is convicted of homicide by vehicle and driving while distracted, they may be sentenced to up to an additional five years in prison.
A driver may use an interactive mobile device if the driver moves the vehicle to the side of or off a highway and halts in a location where the vehicle can safely remain stationary. The hands-free law allows for an emergency use exception if it is necessary to communicate with a law enforcement official or other emergency service to prevent injury to persons or property.
Pennsylvania’s Texting-While-Driving Ban
The law prohibits as a primary offense any driver from using an interactive mobile device to send, read, or write a text-based communication while his or her vehicle is in motion.
– Defines an interactive mobile device as a handheld wireless telephone, personal digital assistant, smartphone, portable or mobile computer, or similar device that can be used for voice communication, texting, emailing, browsing the internet, instant messaging, playing games, taking or transmitting images, recording or broadcasting videos, creating or sharing social media or otherwise sending or receiving electronic data.
– Defines a text-based communication as a text message, instant message, email, or other written communication composed or received on an interactive mobile device.
– Makes clear that this law supersedes and preempts any local ordinances restricting the use of interactive wireless devices by drivers.
Penalties Under this Law
– The penalty is a summary offense with a $50 fine, plus court costs and other fees.
– The violation carries no points as a penalty and will not be recorded on the driver record for non-commercial drivers. It will be recorded on commercial drivers’ records as a non-sanction violation.
The texting ban does NOT include the use of a GPS device, a system or device that is physically or electronically integrated into the vehicle, or a communications device that is affixed to a mass transit vehicle, bus, or school bus. The law does not authorize the seizure of an interactive wireless device.
Sourced via CRIMEWATCH®: https://clinton.crimewatchpa.com/millhallpd/133707/post/news-release-50
Lock Haven Police Department News:
Incidents:
Crash – On February 15, 2025, at approximately 6:40 p.m., a collision occurred involving two vehicles in the 200 block of N. Fairview Street. A vehicle headed southbound on N. Fairview Street collided with a vehicle headed northbound. There were no reported injuries, and both vehicles were able to be driven from the scene.
Theft – On February 12, 2025, a package valued at $30 was taken from a residence in the 200 block of N. Fairview Street.
Offenses Charged:
Colin Boone, 21, from Lock Haven, was arrested for Access Device Fraud and Theft. According to police, between December 19, 2023, and October 31, 2024, Boone used an ex-girlfriend’s credit card to purchase food through DoorDash totaling $566.92.
Britney Litz, 35, of Lock Haven, was arrested for Simple Assault and Harassment. On January 19, 2025, at approximately 2:45 p.m., Litz got into an argument with a victim at 720 E. Bald Eagle Street Building 12 and struck the victim several times before pulling the victim by her hair down a flight of stairs.
A 17-year-old male from Beech Creek was cited with the Purchase, Consumption, Possession, or Transportation of Liquor, Malt, or Brewed Beverages. On January 27, 2025, at approximately 9:15 p.m., the juvenile male was in possession of a can of Twisted Tea in the municipal parking lot across from the YMCA.
Sourced via CRIMEWATCH®: https://clinton.crimewatchpa.com/lockhavenpd/133026/post/news-release-february-20-2025