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Pennsylvania has some news to say, more than 9 million drivers will have to adapt to a historic change in the way they drive!
It’s called the Hands-Free Law,
and it will prohibit drivers from holding any electronic device (yes, any device) in their hands while driving, responding to a real problem we see every day on our roads.
It’s called the Paul Miller’s Law,
and it aims to reduce accidents caused by distractions. But how will this new rule affect drivers, and what do experts and families of accident victims think about it?
A new and very important law in Pennsylvania
The Paul Miller’s Law comes after a year in which distractions behind the wheel caused more than 11,000 accidents in Pennsylvania alone… Distractions while driving are a reality on our roads, and we’re really not aware of the damage we can cause by taking our eyes off the road for just a second…
Across the country, there were 3,275 deaths for the same reason, so this new law not only prohibits holding a phone for calls or messages but also any action that means you don’t have full control of the vehicle, whether you’re reconfiguring the GPS, picking something up, or adjusting the volume on the radio. Hands on the wheel at all times.
How many states have this same law?
Only Pennsylvania has this exact law, but 31 states have already implemented bans on holding devices while driving; hands-free laws are a reality in our country.
Are there exceptions?
Yes, of course. You can only “skip” this rule when you’re reporting an emergency to rescue services. In all other cases, you’ll have to use voice commands to give orders.
Trial year
During the first year of implementing this law, the focus will be on education and awareness, so fines will start at $50 per violation, almost a token amount, but the idea, as we said, is to create awareness first. Do you think it will work?
Who is Paul Miller?
The name of the law honours Paul Miller Jr., a young man who died in 2010 when a distracted driver crashed into his vehicle. His family has pushed for this law because they don’t want more families to suffer the same tragedy. His mother said, “My son did everything right, but he died because of someone else’s bad decisions. This law is a shield for every driver and passenger in Pennsylvania”.
A step closer to safer driving
The law was introduced by state senator Rosemary Brown and governor Josh Shapiro, who emphasized that the goal is not to punish but to protect everyone who gets into a car or crosses the street. Shapiro called the rule a sign of political unity that “will save lives across the state”.
Experts and activists’ opinions
For Joel Feldman, founder of the organization EndDD after his daughter’s death in a similar situation, he explained that the law is an important step but not enough because this is something we’ve accepted as a society and that we must remove from it.
Robertson, president of the National Coalition for Distracted Driving, points out that these laws have already proven effective in saving lives and reducing accident costs, and that this is another step forward.
A safer future on the roads
This law will be a turning point for roads, and hopefully, we’ll learn to be aware that there’s much more at stake than a simple WhatsApp message, it’s our lives and the lives of those we meet on the road.
Remember, using your phone while driving is strictly prohibited; there’s nothing wrong with replying to your messages a little later.
