‘I'm Too Busy Eating': What Is Paul Miller's Law and Why Does It Mean You May Be Much More Likely to Get Pulled Over?
One of the golden rules of driving is to always keep your eyes on the road, avoid any distractions, and ensure that full presence is on the task at hand. This rule used to be easier, but when phones became smart, eyes started drifting away from roads to screens.
Phones now have everything. Your phone is now your GPS, music player, email, and social media source, all in one. It also has countless apps to grab your attention. It's become habitable to reach for your phone during downtime, which has led to an increase in distracted driving.
Well, checking your phone while driving will start to have more consequences with the new Paul Miller's Law going into place.
In a TikTok with nearly 7.9M views, JoJo (@jojoonthegogotravels) shares all the details you'll want to know about the Paul Miller Law and the potential fines associated if caught breaking it.
What Is the Paul Miller Law?
In her post, JoJo reveals that Pennsylvania put the Paul Miller Law into effect on June 5th, with 30 other
states
already having 'no touch' laws in place.
The Paul Miller Law bans drivers from using any handheld devices, including cell phones, while driving. This law allows police to pull over any driver using their phone while driving, and yes, this does include at red lights and stop signs.
Pennsylvania
has passed this law, with it going into effect on June 5. The law is named after
Paul Miller
, who was tragically killed in a car accident with tractor tractor-trailer truck in July 2010. The tractor-trailer driver lost control of the truck while reaching for his cell phone and crashed into Paul Miller's car.
Miller's mother made it her mission to ban any use of handheld devices while driving to avoid more crashes. After years of lobbying and fighting to make this into a law, she succeeded.
Pennsylvania officials are excited to pass this law and believe it'll save many lives.
'Paul Miller's Law is about saving lives," said Pennsylvania Department of Transportation Secretary Mike Carroll. "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."
Under Paul Miller's Law, drivers can still use their phones to alert emergency responders. The law also notes that it is okay to make phone calls, use a GPS, and listen to music if hands-free technology is used.
What Happens If You Get Caught Checking Your Phone While Driving With This New Law?
Starting June 5, Pennsylvania law enforcement will begin issuing written warnings for violating Paul Miller's Law. If law enforcement sees you on your phone, they can pull you over.
Citations and fees will go into effect on June 6, 2026. These fines will start at $50 plus court costs and other fees. Getting caught will not affect your driver's record for non-commercial drivers.
Distractions Are Everywhere and Can Be Deadly
There is no denying that distractions are everywhere when driving. Whether it's using your cell phone, adjusting the GPS, doing your makeup, eating, or changing the song, these actions could become deadly.
The
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
reported that over 3,000 deaths occurred in 2023 due to distracted driving, with 8% of fatal crashes in 2023 involving distracted drivers. Additionally, 324,819 were injured in distraction-related crashes in 2023. Another study conducted by
AAA
revealed that six out 10 teen driving accidents were caused by distracted driving.
As technology continues to advance, more awareness around distracted driving needs to be considered. By implementing laws such as Paul Miller's Law, we're taking steps in the right direction.
What Did Viewers Think?
'All the cops that pass me are texting on their phones' one commented.
'But we can touch these massive screens in cars,' a second added.
'That's fine I'm too busy eating while putting my makeup on,' another joked.
'Let me get this straight. I can touch my car screen that duplicates my phone screen. But I can't do the exact same thing on my phone,' a further commenter questioned.
Motor1
has contacted Jojo via Instagram and TikTok direct message. We'll be sure to update this article when we hear back.
List of 31 States with No Touch Law
Alabama
Arizona
California
Colorado
Connecticut
Delaware
Georgia
Hawaii
Idaho
Illinois
Indiana
Iowa
Maine
Maryland
Massachusetts
Michigan
Minnesota
Missouri
Nevada
New Hampshire
New Jersey
New York
Ohio
Oregon
Pennsylvania
Rhode Island
Tennessee
Vermont
Virginia
Washington
West Virginia
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