The Pennsylvania Driving Law Travelers Should Know Before Visiting In 2026

There aren't many states in the U.S. that offer better road trip routes for adventure seekers than Pennsylvania. The Keystone State boasts a gorgeous, varied landscape of forests, hills, rivers, and state parks and has some of the country's loveliest stretches of roads, like the historic Route 6, one of America's longest highways. However, it is not always the safest state to drive in, regularly featuring in lists of the states with the most traffic accidents. In 2024, for example, there were over 110,000 reported car accidents in Pennsylvania, around 300 a day or 13 an hour!

In an attempt to bring the number of crashes down and make driving in Pennsylvania safer for everyone, Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro has signed a bill known as Paul Miller's Law, making using or holding a phone while driving illegal (like it is in California). This even applies when the vehicle is stationary. The law itself came into effect in 2025, but enforcement has been on hold to give drivers time to get accustomed to the change. However, from June 6, 2026, the police will begin enforcing the law and giving citations to anyone caught using a phone while driving. The citation includes a $50 fine plus court costs and applicable fees.

In 2010, Paul Miller Jr. was killed behind the wheel in Monroe County, Pennsylvania, when a tractor-trailer driver took their eye off the road to check their cellphone. The new law is designed to prevent tragic events such as this from happening and to improve road safety in Pennsylvania in general. Eileen Miller, Paul Miller Jr.'s mother, said, "My son did everything right – 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."

The legislation is specifically designed to stop drivers from using or even touching their cellphones while driving. If you hold a phone or touch more than one button, you are liable to be pulled over and cited. This applies when the car is in motion, but also if you are temporarily stationary, in traffic, or at a stoplight. If drivers want to use their phones in the car, they will need to pull over, park, or ask a passenger to use it for them. The law covers any interactive mobile device, so it includes phones, smart devices, tablets, and mobile computers. In the first 12 months since the legislation was passed, law enforcement was directed to hand out written warnings to any drivers violating the law. However, from June, infractions will come with a $50 fine.

There are exceptions to the rule. Using hands-free devices is still acceptable, so voice-activated programs, like Google Assistant or Siri can still be used for navigation, making phone calls, or playing music. There are also certain exceptions in the event of emergencies, particularly if using a phone is necessary to prevent injury.