Op-Ed: Honoring Paul Miller with a new era of safer roads in Pennsylvania
By Sen. Rosemary Brown | The Center Square contributor
(The Center Square) – This week, a new era of safety begins on Pennsylvania roads when Paul Miller’s Law officially takes effect.
Named in memory of Paul Miller Jr. – a young man from Scranton who was killed in 2010 on Route 33 in Stroudsburg by a distracted driver – this law will save lives by prohibiting the use of hand-held electronic devices, including phones, while driving.
Paul was 21 when his life was tragically ended. His mother, Eileen Miller, has spent the last 14 years transforming her pain into purpose. She is a true inspiration, and she has become one of the nation’s leading advocates for distracted driving awareness and prevention. She deserves praise and admiration for her years of incredible work to get this law across the finish line.
As the sponsor of this legislation, now Act 18 of 2024, I couldn’t be prouder about what this change will mean for the families of our commonwealth.
I’ve worked on this issue for more than a decade. We’ve had versions of this bill in front of the legislature for years, and it has been one of the most important fights of my career. We know distracted driving is one of the most preventable causes of death on our roads, and yet, until now, Pennsylvania lagged. Twenty-six states had already passed hands-free laws. Now we join them with a policy grounded in public safety and compassion.
According to PennDOT, there were more than 11,000 crashes involving distracted drivers in Pennsylvania in 2023, outpacing the number of crashes caused by impaired drivers. In 2022, 80 people died on our roads due to distracted driving, the highest total in a decade. Behind those statistics are real people – families forever changed by a glance at a screen.
Paul Miller’s Law prohibits the use of hand-held cell phones and other electronic devices while driving, including when a vehicle is stopped in traffic or at a red light. Drivers can still talk using hands-free devices, but holding a phone to make a call, text, or check social media will now be a citable offense. Enforcement begins with a year-long educational period, during which officers may issue written warnings. On June 6, 2026, formal citations will begin.
This law is not about punishing drivers. It’s about saving lives and reminding people that whatever is happening on your phone can wait.
We’ve all seen it, and we’ve all probably done it at some point. But normalizing distraction has come at a cost we can no longer ignore.
Paul Miller’s Law represents a culture shift. It’s a clear, statewide standard that empowers law enforcement and protects motorists, cyclists, pedestrians and passengers alike.
It also sends a message: Pennsylvania takes driver responsibility seriously.
The bipartisan support this legislation received is a testament to its necessity. Safety knows no party lines.
In fact, many of the legislators who joined me in this effort did so because they, too, have heard from constituents who lost loved ones to distracted driving. This issue unites us in our shared humanity.
As we move forward, education will be key.
I urge all Pennsylvanians to familiarize themselves with the new law and make a conscious effort to change habits behind the wheel. Use Bluetooth or voice-activated systems. Set your GPS before pulling out of the driveway. Let a passenger handle communication if you’re on the road. And most importantly, talk to your teenagers and new drivers about the dangers of distraction because your influence matters.
I am proud of what we’ve accomplished, but even more than that, I’m grateful.
Grateful to the advocates like Eileen Miller who never gave up.
Grateful to my colleagues who stood with me.
Grateful to the families who shared their stories and gave this bill a name, a face and a mission.
On June 5, we begin honoring Paul Miller’s memory not only with words, but with action.
Let’s all do our part to ensure that his legacy endures.
Sen. Rosemary Brown represents Pennsylvania’s 40th Senatorial District. She is the sponsor of Paul Miller’s Law.
