Distracted Driving Laws
On June 5, 2025, Pennsylvania’s Paul Miller’s Law went into effect, requiring drivers to use their phones only in hands-free mode. The law is a powerful tribute to Paul Miller Jr. and the tireless work of his mother, Eileen Miller, who turned her grief into action to help others.
While this law marks progress, it is only part of the solution.
“Based on the experience of recently adopted similar laws in Ohio, Michigan, and Missouri, we should see approximately a 5 to 11% decrease in distracted driving in Pennsylvania,” said Joel Feldman, founder of End Distracted Driving. “That is a start. However, many Pennsylvanians, in particular teens, will continue to crash, be injured, or die in these preventable crashes.”
So what else is needed? Cultural change, personal accountability, and a deeper look at why we continue to accept distracted driving in ourselves while criticizing it in others.
We Know It’s Dangerous. We Still Do It.
Most drivers agree that distracted driving is dangerous. Yet many still glance at a notification, read a message, or hold their phones while driving.
“We hate it when we see others driving distracted,” Feldman said. “Yet we drive distracted. If we treated others the way we wanted to be treated, we would not drive distracted.”
This contradiction reveals an uncomfortable truth. Knowing the risks is not always enough. Real change happens when our behavior begins to match our values.
Distracted Driving Is Selfish and Preventable
Joel Feldman, who has represented crash victims and their families for more than 35 years, has seen how devastating distracted driving crashes can be.
“Distracted driving is selfish and disrespectful. It’s inconsistent with everyone’s values,” he said. “If we think about who we are, our values, and the example we want to be for others, particularly our children, we would give up our driving distractions.”
These aren’t just slogans. They’re challenges. If we believe in kindness, respect, and protecting others, those values should show up in the way we drive.
Laws May Change Behavior. Culture Changes Norms.
Laws like Paul Miller’s help reduce crashes and set a public expectation. But laws alone cannot shift the deeper social attitudes that normalize distracted driving.
To end distracted driving for good, we must make it socially unacceptable, just like we did with drunk driving.
That starts by:
- Modeling distraction-free driving every day
- Encouraging friends and family to put their phones down
- Giving our children an example they can trust
- Speaking up when we’re passengers
What Real Change Looks Like
Changing norms requires effort, patience, and people willing to speak out. It looks like:
- A teen reminding their parent not to text
- A friend calling out another for checking notifications at a red light
- A parent putting their phone away because they know their child is watching
- A community honoring someone lost by choosing to drive differently
“It shouldn’t take a tragedy to change the way we drive,” said Feldman, who began speaking about distraction only after his daughter Casey was killed. “But too often, that’s what it takes.”
What You Can Do Now
Laws help us start the conversation. You can help keep it going.
Read about Paul Miller’s Law ➤
More You Can Do to End Distracted Driving ➤
By choosing to drive distraction-free, you’re not just following the law. You’re protecting lives and helping shape a culture that refuses to accept preventable loss.
Let’s not wait for another name to be added to the list. Let’s be the reason someone makes it home safely today.
