SAYLORSBURG, Pa. — Standing in the grass patch between the exit and entrance to Route 33, Eileen Miller gave a heartfelt speech on a tragic incident of distracted driving.
The event led to the death of her son almost 15 years ago.
But on Friday, it served as the place from which Miller found hope from a law that could mean other parents won't have to experience the heartache she has.
Close by was the very spot where Paul Miller Jr. was killed in a collision with a driver who had been reaching for their phone.
The younger Miller was 21 years old, with a birthday right around the corner.
And after 15 years of reaching out to politicians, departments of transportation, and throughout the commonwealth and several other states, Eileen Miller finally was seeing the fruits of her labor.
Because even if she lost her son, at the very least, with the onset of Paul Miller’s Law, more lives could be saved, she said.
Paul Miller's Law
Signed into law on June 5, 2024, Senate Bill 37, also known as “Paul Miller’s Law,” officially went into effect Thursday.
The legislation prohibits the use of hand-held devices while driving, even if stopped temporarily because of traffic, red lights or other momentary delays.
"Distracted driving is not just dangerous; it is now illegal in Pennsylvania."State Transportation Secretary Mike Carroll
While Pennsylvania already enforces a texting-while-driving ban, the new legislation essentially expands enforcement to cover any use of a mobile device.
Written warnings for violations began on Thursday, with officers handing out cards featuring pictures of Paul’s fatal crash and a brief explanation of the legislation.
Eileen Miller on Friday was joined by state Transportation Secretary Mike Carroll, state police Troop N Public Information Officer Trooper Anthony Petroski and state Sen. Rosemary Brown.
“I'm proud to be here today with safety partners as we remind drivers across Pennsylvania to put down the phone," Carroll said.
"Distracted driving is not just dangerous; it is now illegal in Pennsylvania.
“If you were caught by police holding your phone while driving, even at a red light, you will be pulled over. It's time to keep your hands off the phone while you're driving.”
'A big full-circle moment'
Eileen Miller said her son was returning home from a party in Bethlehem that day in 2010 to cover a shift at his job for a fellow employee when the crash happened.
Since 2012, the mother has become a national advocate for stronger laws to curb distracted driving.
“Sitting here now is really like a big full circle moment," Miller said. "You know, it's sad that it took this long, but I'm ecstatic that we have it now.
"We wish it was stronger, you know, we wish the penalties were higher. We wish that. But for right now, we're content.”
“Importantly, driving doesn't just mean when the vehicle is moving. Using a mobile device while stopped at a red light in traffic or during any temporary delay is still against the law.”State police Troop N Public Information Officer Trooper Anthony Petroski
PennDOT data shows that in 2024, there were 9,950 crashes involving distracted drivers, including more than 6,000 injuries and 49 fatalities.
However, distracted driving data is thought to be underreported because of many drivers’ reluctance to admit to being distracted following a crash.
Cell phones are not the only factor in distracted driving. Anything that takes attention away from the road or hands off the wheel can be dangerous.
Driver behavior is the leading factor in 83% of the crashes that occur in the commonwealth, and can include driving distracted, impaired or aggressive, data shows.
“Police will be actively looking for this behavior and can stop a driver solely on this violation," Petroski said. "No other reason is necessary.
"This new law prohibits use of any interactive mobile device while operating a vehicle, including phones, personal digital assistants and portable computers.
“Importantly, driving doesn't just mean when the vehicle is moving. Using a mobile device while stopped at a red light in traffic or during any temporary delay is still against the law.”
Only allowable use
Petroski said the only allowable use for a mobile device would be to contact emergency services.
Pennsylvania politicians, PennDOT and state police are advising drivers to pull over and park their care in a safe location to use a phone to text message anyone.
“We are here to send a loving message to Paul, who you see in this picture right below the podium, that his death has brought change to save lives."State Sen. Rosemary Brown
Also, to ask a passenger to be a designated texter, letting them respond to calls or messages for the driver, and to avoid social media scrolling and messaging completely.
Drivers also should consider setting phones to “Do Not Disturb,” silence them or place them in a glove box or other location until they arrive at a destination, police said.
Gesturing behind her to Route 33, Brown said it was clear that with heavy, fast traffic, adding a distraction such as a phone into the mix could be a recipe for disaster.
But with the new legislation, that chance could be curbed, she said.
“We are here to send a loving message to Paul, who you see in this picture right below the podium, that his death has brought change to save lives,” Brown said.
Some apparent room for conflict
While the purpose behind the law is apparent, there is some room for issues leading to, at the very least, contested citations.
Asked whether someone could be stopped and cited if seen using a handheld device while driving in a parking lot, Petroski said yes.
That could even extend to a driver using a phone while waiting in a drive-thru, even if the vehicle is stationary, as long as it is on.
Furthermore, there are no exceptions for the matter. So those who may rely on their mobile devices to control wearable medical technology devices could be subject to citations as well.
"If, for example, a driver had a constant glucose monitor that paired with the phone, and that person were to receive an alert from their device that insulin was required for a high blood sugar, that person could be cited if they were driving while addressing the matter."Police officials
If, for example, a driver had a constant glucose monitor that paired with the phone, and that person were to receive an alert from their device that insulin was required for a high blood sugar, that person could be cited if they were driving while addressing the matter.
That, in particular, may very well become an issue.
Medical technology company Dexcom has even offered some advice on the matter.
“If you are using your CGM to check your glucose levels whilst driving, in the UK it is illegal to touch your mobile phone screen whilst the car engine is running.
"Pull over to a safe space, stop the engine, and then check your Dexcom CGM readings.”
Variables such as being caught in traffic and unable to pull over have not been detailed, leaving some uncertainty for drivers who deal with such conditions.
Ultimately, the decision to issue a warning or citation falls on the officer who allegedly witnesses the event.
'We did it'
Just as it began to rain Friday, Miller spoke about going to the crash site and finding Paul’s dirty, bloody car door handle on the ground.
She said she has kept it since as a reminder of her personal mission.
“So I know now that my son's life, it will be a beacon of protection for every driver and every passenger in our Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. He didn't die in vain.”Eileen Miller
“One thing I could hear was my son saying to me, ‘Mom, you could get a handle on this. You could help me. You could do this.'
"And that was 15 years ago, and I have that handle in my memory room.”
Miller said that after the legislation passed, she had held the handle and told her son, “We did it.”
“So I know now that my son's life, it will be a beacon of protection for every driver and every passenger in our Commonwealth of Pennsylvania," she said.
"He didn't die in vain.”
