If picking up your cellphone while you’re driving to call someone or look up something like a restaurant or a map is routine for you, it’s time to get out of that habit.

As of June 5, it is now illegal to use a handheld cellphone while driving in Pennsylvania. Texting while driving was already banned in Pennsylvania. It prohibited drivers from using mobile devices to read text messages or write and send them while the vehicle is in motion.

The new law known as Paul Miller’s Law prohibits the use of handheld devices for any reason while driving, which also includes being temporarily stopped due to traffic, a red light, other momentary delays and in parking lots, not just roadways.

Pennsylvania State Police Trooper Anthony Petroski explained during a press conference on Friday that police will be allowed to pull over drivers for using their cellphones. They will be issuing written warnings for the violation of the Paul Miller’s Law for one year. Beginning June 5, of next year, police will then have the ability to issue summary citations to violators.

“Whether you’re texting, talking, or typing, using a mobile device while driving is dangerous,” Petroski said. “It puts not only your life at risk, but also the lives of everyone sharing the road with you. That’s why, starting yesterday, Paul Miller’s Law makes it a primary offense to hold a phone or any mobile device while driving. Police will be actively looking for this behavior and can stop a driver solely for this violation — no other reason is needed.”

Drivers can still use their phones to alert emergency responders and can use hands-free technology to make calls, use GPS, and listen to music, for example.

The new law is named after Paul Miller Jr. who was killed on Route 33 when a tractor-trailer crossed the median and hit his vehicle. The driver of truck was using his cellphone at the time of the crash. His mother, Eileen Miller, told his story on Friday afternoon not far from where the crash occurred near Saylorsburg.

Miller said her 21-year-old son was traveled south on Route 33 on his way to work on July 5, 2010, when the crash occurred. It was his day off, but he was filling in for a coworker. He died instantly when the truck hit him, and so did his dreams of being a police officer. A van carrying 12 people behind him also was involved in the crash. Three people had to be transported by helicopter to a hospital, and all survived.

“My son did everything right,” Miller said about how her son’s actions that day. “He was killed by someone else’s unsafe choices behind the wheel. This law is for every family in Pennsylvania that doesn’t have to experience two state troopers knocking on their door to tell them that their loved one was killed by distracted driving.”

Later, Miller went to the scene of the crash and found a handle from his car. It was covered in blood and dirt, but she took it home. She knew she had to do something to stop this from happening to other people. Over the last 15 years when she faced hurdles pursuing this law, Miller said she held that handle and imagined holding her son’s hand.

“Please put down the phone and just drive,” Miller said.

According to Pennsylvania Department of Transportation data, there were 9,950 crashes involving a distracted driver confirmed in 2024. This resulted in more than 6,000 injuries and 49 fatalities. The state thinks the statistics could be higher but drivers are reluctant to admit they were distracted at the time of a crash.

“Paul Miller’s Law is about saving lives,” said PennDOT Secretary Mike Carroll on Friday. “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.”