Don’t expect tickets to be issued anytime soon under Pennsylvania’s new distracted driving law.
When Gov. Josh Shapiro signed Act 18 earlier this month, “Paul Miller’s Law,” named for a Scranton man killed by a distracted driver, was widely heralded as a move to make the state’s roads safer in line with what many of the commonwealth’s neighbors had done years previously.
Written into the legislation – but somewhat unremarked with its passage and signing – was language stating that restrictions on using hand-held devices while driving would not take effect for 12 months, with only written warnings issued for the 12 months after that.
“Therefore, warnings will be given from June 2025 to June 2026, and citations will be issued beginning June 2026,” Pennsylvania State Police Communications Director Myles Snyder wrote in an email, pointing to the text of the act.
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Screenshot from www.legis.state.pa.us
Written into Pennsylvania’s new distracted driving law – but somewhat unremarked with its passage and signing – was language stating that restrictions on using hand-held devices while driving would not take effect for 12 months, with only written warnings issued for the 12 months after that.
Why was it written that way?
“PennDOT needed the 12 months to update our driver’s manual, driver’s tests, and knowledge testing practice app in all available languages,” said Jennifer Kuntch, the department’s deputy communications director.
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“There was also concern by the legislature on making sure the general public had some time to be aware of the changes this law makes,” Kuntch added.
Passage of the law was a lengthy battle for Miller’s mother Eileen, together with state Sen. Rosemary Brown — the bill’s primary sponsor — and other advocates, including Shapiro. That battle resulted in previous failed attempts and many compromises, including to the final version.
Among those compromises were ratcheting down the fine from $100 to $50, and including a provision for local police departments to compile demographic data on drivers pulled over in traffic stops. Shapiro, in conjunction with the Legislative Black Caucus, advocated for that amendment to prevent the new law from disproportionately being used to initiate traffic stops with motorists of color.
Miller: ‘People are asking me’
It is not unprecedented for lawmakers to delay the implementation of legislation for various reasons, including giving affected agencies time to prepare for enforcement.
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The state’s texting and driving ban was signed into law by Gov. Tom Corbett in November 2011, but did not take effect until March of the following year.
Eileen Miller said Friday that she knew there would be a waiting period before tickets would be issued under the new law, but hadn’t realized it would be as long as ultimately decided.
“People are asking me” about enforcement of the law, Miller said, acknowledging that there seemed to be a general impression that it would be implemented sooner, including warnings.
What Miller does not want is for drivers to think they should be using digital devices in the meanwhile, regardless of when enforcement begins.
“I don’t want to lie to them,” Miller said of the enforcement delay. “I just don’t want them on their phones.”
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Miller’s concerns are supported by life experience and grim statistics: Paul Miller Jr. died in 2010 when a distracted tractor-trailer driver crashed into his car in Monroe County. He was 21.
In 2023, distracted driving was the leading cause of car crashes in Pennsylvania, according to PennDOT data. There were more than 11,262 distracted driving crashes in 2023, compared to 8,330 alcohol-related crashes.
“It took one second for my son to die, one second for him to get killed,” Miller said. “Don’t take your eyes off the road.”
Education and training
Under the new law, drivers will still be able to use their phones to alert emergency responders and to make phone calls, use GPS, and listen to music — if they are using hands-free technology. What they cannot do is use hand-held digital devices behind the wheel.
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Asked about how troopers will be educated on enforcing the law, PSP’s Snyder wrote: “Cadets during their Academy training receive instruction on the Pennsylvania Vehicle Code in its entirety, and State Troopers are kept informed of all changes to the Vehicle Code and other statutes relevant to traffic enforcement.”
Earlier this week, the topic of distracted driving came up in Lackawanna County, when regional PSP and PennDOT officials gathered to speak with reporters about efforts to cut down on work zone accidents.
Their message was simple: Just drive.
Jonathan Eboli, PennDOT’s Assistant District 4 executive for maintenance, said that in addition to speeding, distracted and aggressive driving are the leading causes of work zone crashes, noting that there were 1,216 crashes in work zones around the state last year, with 22 fatalities and 45 serious injuries.
Trooper First Class Robert M. Urban, Community Services Officer for Dunmore-based Troop R, elaborated on those trends during an interview prior to the event.
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“It’s a very big problem. Every year, we see fatalities, crashes, increase all through distracted driving,” Urban said. “We see it all the time. Fact of the matter is, electronic devices are a way of life. But when you get in that vehicle, you have to put it down.”
Educating the public on the dangers of distracted driving is something PennDOT already has been doing and will continue to do, said Liz Fabri, safety press officer for PennDOT’s Dunmore-based District 4.
“We’re starting even younger, in the schools with young teenagers, doing distracted driving programs, Fabri said, adding that the department partners with Miller, who has for many years spoken to school groups.
“We’ll go from anywhere from teenagers to senior centers,” Fabri said. “Everyone has a cell phone nowadays. So we’re just really out in the community, working on how to give people tips for not being distracted behind the wheel.”
Kuntch said PennDOT’s safety press officers, such as Fabri, and Community Traffic Safety Projects (CTSP) — programs supported by the Highway Safety Office as part of federal pass-through grants with county governments — deliver educational messaging year-round across the state focused on a variety of topics, including distracted driving.
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“Partners work with local high schools and colleges, as well as the general public, to promote and help facilitate educational presentations that raise awareness on the dangers of distracted driving. In addition, PennDOT shares educational messages with the use of graphic images, audio files, and videos,” she added.
PennDOT does currently have information on its website about distracted driving, as Kuntch noted, but Pennsylvania’s broader strategy for communicating the new law to the public is not yet clear.
“Planning efforts are underway to enhance current communication with the public about distracted driving laws and safety related messages. Signage on our highways is not required by law and at this time it is unknown how messages related to the law and safe driving will be shared with motorists on our roadways,” Kuntch said.
Maryland’s approach
Efforts in neighboring states could provide a roadmap to follow, however, and give an insight into how police enforce such laws.
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In Maryland, for example, simple and direct highway signs inform motorists that texting and use of hand-held devices are illegal while driving. They are one component of a broader strategy.
Courtesy Maryland Highway Safety Office
In Maryland, the state’s enforcement and education efforts include simple and direct highway signs like this one, informing motorists that texting and use of hand-held devices are illegal while driving.
“Maryland believes it requires a multifaceted approach to improve highway safety,” said Anna Levendusky, a spokesperson for the Maryland Highway Safety Office. That approach includes engineering, enforcement and education, she said.
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According to Maryland State Police:
The state’s law prohibits the use of a handheld cellphone and texting while driving. First-time offenders caught using a cellphone while driving face a maximum of an $83 fine, second-time offenders a maximum of $140 fine and third-time offenders a maximum of $160 fine.
Writing, sending or reading a text or electronic message while driving can result in a $70 fine and one point on their driving record. If the use of a device contributes to a crash, serious injury or death, these penalties increase.
In 2023, 217 fatal crashes were attributed to distracted driving in Maryland, Levendusky said. Statistics can be found on the Zero Deaths Maryland webpage, which also includes resources and information for combatting distracted driving.
She also described how police enforce the law out on the roads.
“Most distracted driving violations are sight violations – those that the officer witnesses, similar to how a police officer sees if passengers are buckled or not,” Levendusky said.
“If a crash occurs, the responding officer will ask the occupants a variety of questions, including if they were distracted. If the crash is significant or results in the serious injury or death of someone, phones may be subpoenaed and searched to determine if they were being used at the time of the crash,” she added.
Pennsylvania is littered with more than 2,500 natural and manmade inland lakes. So when you find the deepest of these tucked among state forests 130 miles east of Pittsburgh, you’ve probably stumbled upon a gem. Raystown Lake’s rural location makes it one of Pennsylvania’s best-kept secrets, often overlooked for other lakes closer to the state’s cities and civilization. But those who commit to the three-hour drive are rewarded with 8,300 acres of tranquil and clear water that reaches a maximum depth of 200 feet. While it’s not as deep as Wazee, Wisconsin’s deepest inland lake and scuba diving gem, it still offers great fishing, swimming, boating, and other water sports.
Raystown Lake can thank Raystown Dam for its impressive depth, as this manmade reservoir only came to be when the Juniata River, just north, was dammed to control flooding. While natural lakes in Pennsylvania don’t exceed 85 feet in depth, Raystown’s significantly deeper and colder areas make it a better spot for anglers seeking deep-water fish species worthy of their trophy cabinets. These game fish range from striped bass (stripers) and trout to walleye and Atlantic salmon.
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Raystown Lake is also surrounded by over 21,000 acres of pristine forest covering the encircling Allegheny mountains in earthy greens and browns — a picturesque setting for a day on the water. The lake’s size and numerous fishing spots along its 118-mile shoreline also help it feel uncrowded when you’re sharing the water with other fishing boats, pontoons, kayaks, and houseboats. Fishing Booker recommends looking for the largest stripers in Raystown’s deepest sections, while largemouth and smallmouth bass can be caught in shallower spots. You can also reel in 20-pound trout during winter and fall when fishing depths beyond 80 feet. Trolling, jigging, and ice fishing are also all possible here during the year.
Peaceful camping at Pennsylvania’s Raystown Lake
Karen Leisey/Shutterstock
After driving three hours here from Pittsburgh or 3.5 hours from Baltimore, no one expects you to turn around at the end of the day and drive all the way back. That’s why Raystown Lake has about 20 campgrounds for tents and RVs to choose from, as well as houseboats, glamping, B&Bs, hotels, and resorts. The campgrounds typically let you stay closest to the water and provide a serene setting to escape those everyday stressors for a while. They’re also generally more affordable.
If you love roughing it, Putt’s Camp is open year-round. This no-frills campground offers eight campsites for group bookings, including one waterfront spot. You also have a picnic shelter, fireplace, water pumps, and vault toilets. It’s close to state forest walking trails and a quiet section of the lake for swimming, fishing, and paddling. Seven Points Campground is another great option, especially for families and anglers wanting to catch largemouth and striped bass. Open from April to October, it has over 260 tent and RV sites, adjacent walking trails, and beach and marina access. Hot showers, electric and water hookups, playgrounds, a nearby grocery store, and picnic tables all make the camping experience much more comfortable.
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Raystown Lake is a year-round destination surrounded by natural scenery and charming towns, including Huntingdon, a picturesque Pennsylvania borough nestled along the Juniata River about 13 miles away. The borough also has the Lincoln Caverns, a small show cave where you can pan for real gems, in case you don’t have any luck fishing. Speaking of fishing, you’ll need to purchase a Pennsylvania fishing license online beforehand. And always stick to the state’s bag and size limits — it helps keep the lake well-stocked for everyone to enjoy.
Bones and skulls visible in the back seat of a car near an abandoned cemetery on Philadelphia’s outskirts led police to a basement filled with body parts, which authorities say were hoarded by a man now accused of stealing about 100 sets of human remains.
Officers say a Tuesday night arrest culminated a monthslong investigation into break-ins at Mount Moriah Cemetery, where at least 26 mausoleums and vaults had been forced open since early November.
Investigators later searched the Ephrata home and storage unit of Jonathan Christ Gerlach, 34, and reported finding more than 100 human skulls, long bones, mummified hands and feet, two decomposing torsos and other skeletal items.
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“They were in various states. Some of them were hanging, as it were. Some of them were pieced together, some were just skulls on a shelf,” Delaware County District Attorney Tanner Rouse said.
Most were in the basement, authorities said, and they also recovered jewelry believed to be linked to the graves. In one case, a pacemaker was still attached.
Police say Gerlach targeted mausoleums and underground vaults at the 1855 cemetery. It’s considered the country’s largest abandoned burial ground, according to Friends of Mount Moriah Cemetery, which helps maintain the 160-acre landmark in Yeadon that’s home to an estimated 150,000 grave sites.
Police had been looking into the string of burglaries when an investigator checked Gerlach’s vehicle plates and found he had been near Yeadon repeatedly during the period when the burglaries occurred. Police say the break-ins centered on sealed vaults and mausoleums containing older burials, which had been smashed open or had stonework damaged to reach the remains inside.
He was arrested as he walked back toward his car with a crowbar, police said, and a burlap bag in which officers found the mummified remains of two small children, three skulls and other bones.
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Gerlach told investigators he took about 30 sets of human remains and showed them the graves he stole from, police said.
“Given the enormity of what we are looking at and the sheer, utter lack of reasonable explanation, it’s difficult to say right now, at this juncture, exactly what took place. We’re trying to figure it out,” Rouse told reporters.
Gerlach was charged with 100 counts each of abuse of a corpse and receiving stolen property, along with multiple counts of desecrating a public monument, desecrating a venerated object, desecrating a historic burial place, burglary, trespassing and theft.
He is jailed on $1 million bond. No lawyer was listed in court records. A message seeking comment was texted to a cellphone linked to him.
A sports field at Ridley Municipal Park in Delaware County has been shut down after police say off-road vehicles tore up the grass following a mid-December snowstorm, causing thousands of dollars in damage and threatening spring sports for hundreds of local children.
Ridley Township police say the field is now unsafe and unplayable after individuals illegally drove all-terrain vehicles and a dune buggy across the grass, leaving deep ruts and torn-up turf.
“The issue that we’re having is the field is unplayable now,” Sgt. Mark McKinney, of the Ridley Township Police Department, said.
Police believe the damage happened when the suspects were “joy riding” on the field after snowfall, performing donuts that dug deep grooves into the ground.
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“We believe they were joy riding. They did some donuts in the grass, and it dug up some big ruts into the grass, which causes a problem for when the kids have to go back out on the field in the spring,” McKinney said.
Investigators are asking for the public’s help identifying three individuals seen on surveillance video riding ATVs and a dune buggy through Ridley Township streets. Detectives believe they are responsible for an estimated $5,000 to $10,000 in damage to the park field.
Repairing the field will not be quick or simple, police said.
“It’s not just something that you can just go out there and patch right away,” McKinney said. “It’s something that’s going to take time.”
The repair process involves laying new soil, rolling the field and growing new grass — a timeline that could disrupt the upcoming sports season.
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“You can’t have the kids on there while the grass is growing or the grass won’t grow,” McKinney said. “So it’s set up quite a bit of a dilemma for us.”
The damage is especially personal for McKinney, who also serves as a coach for Ridley Youth Lacrosse. Fellow coach Matt Flynn said the damaged field is their primary game field, with the season scheduled to begin in less than two months.
“Right now, the field would be unplayable because any kid would turn their ankle in the ruts,” Flynn said.
Flynn added that the situation is frustrating after months of work maintaining the field.
“It’s more disappointment because we work so hard to get that field into good shape, and now we just have to start again and do more work, and then find other fields to play on during the season,” he said.
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Township officials are currently gathering repair estimates, but the field will remain closed until it is safe for play.
Police say the suspects could face charges including trespassing and criminal mischief. Anyone who recognizes the individuals seen in the surveillance footage is urged to contact Ridley Township police detectives.
