Eyes Up, Phones Down: What Pennsylvania’s New Distracted Driving Law Means for Truckers
Professional truck drivers know roadway conditions can change in a split second, and staying focused behind the wheel is essential. Eliminating distractions means quicker response times when traffic shifts, protecting you – and everyone else – on the road.
With Paul Miller’s Law now in effect across the Commonwealth, the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission is raising awareness and partnering with the trucking community to curb distracted driving.
Enacted in 2025, the law prohibits the use of hand-held mobile devices while driving. It is named for Paul Miller, who died in 2010 when a tractortrailer driver, distracted by a phone, crashed into the Scranton native’s vehicle along Route 33 in Monroe County.
The law strengthens existing texting-while-driving bans and prohibits mobile device use while vehicles are in motion. This month, law enforcement began issuing summary citations. For commercial drivers, these nonsanction violations remain on driving records and can pose legal and career risks.
Why Distracted Driving Hits Harder for Truckers
According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), drivers who take their eyes off the road for just five seconds at 55 mph travel the length of a football field without looking. At 70 mph – about 100 feet per second – even momentary lapses can be deadly. For commercial drivers, the risk is amplified due to longer stopping distances and the greater force generated by fully loaded trucks.
In 2024,Pennsylvania recorded nearly 10,000 distracted driving crashes, causing more than 6,000 injuries and 49 fatalities. On the Pennsylvania Turnpike, hundreds of distracted driving citations were issued in 2025, underscoring the need for extra vigilance behind the wheel.
What Truckers Should Expect
The PA Turnpike Commission, Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) and Pennsylvania State Police (PSP) are collaborating on initiatives designed to help drivers stay focused and reduce dangerous behavior.
* Work Zone Speed Safety Cameras
Now permanent after a successful pilot, Work Zone Speed Safety Cameras operate in active work zones on PennDOT and PA Turnpike highways. These automated systems record drivers traveling 11 mph or more over the posted limit. The program has significantly reduced speeding and work zone crashes, creating safer, more predictable conditions for truckers and reinforcing expectations around speed compliance.
* Move Over Enforcement
Roadside workers often operate just feet from highspeed traffic. Pennsylvania’s Move Over Law requires drivers to shift to a neighboring lane when safe or to slow down by at least 20 mph below the speed limit when approaching emergency response areas. Providing this buffer protects workers and reduces the risk of secondary crashes involving commercial vehicles.
* Airhorn Equipped Truck-Mounted Attenuators (TMAs)
A new pilot program equips TruckMounted Attenuators (TMAs) with drivertriggered airhorns that sound when motorists approach too quickly. TMAs are designed to absorb crash impact; adding an audible warning gives distracted drivers an extra cue to slow down and refocus before reaching crews or equipment.
Supporting Truckers: Reducing Fatigue Through Better Parking
Fatigue is a leading contributor to delayed reaction times and distraction. Having safe, accessible places to rest is essential for truckers traveling long distances and managing hours of service requirements.
Over the past two decades, the PA Turnpike has invested more than $30 million to expand truck parking at service plazas statewide. In partnership with PennDOT, more than 1,200 new truck parking spaces are being added across 133 locations by the end of 2026. The PA Turnpike is reviewing the feasibility of adding more than 600 additional spaces along its system. These efforts support truckers who need reliable places to stop, rest and remain alert for the miles ahead.
Tools to Inform Your Journey
The PA Turnpike’s advanced traffic management systems provide real-time updates that help drivers stay aware of conditions and avoid sudden hazards.
* Text “info” to 47676 when at a complete stop on the PA Turnpike to receive automated, location-based updates on incidents, clearance times and roadway conditions. This service is for use only when safely stopped and does not provide routine traffic information.
* Use the 511PA app before traveling to check incidents, construction, traffic and weather conditions statewide, including on the PA Turnpike.
Commercial drivers shoulder enormous responsibility as they travel the nation’s highways, and Paul Miller’s Law reinforces what safe truckers already practice every day: when you’re behind the wheel, your focus belongs on the road. Remaining alert, attentive and distraction-free helps ensure that you, other drivers, first responders and highway workers arrive home safely.
TAKE THE PLEDGE
Sign the Go Orange pledge and add your name to the thousands who’ve already committed to driving safely in all work zones.
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-OPTIONAL BREAKOUT BOX-
SAFE DRIVING TIPS?
* Program your GPS and set playlists before pulling out of the lot.
* Pair your device with vehicle systems before driving to ensure hands-free options work properly.
* Pull over and park safely to send or view text messages -- the PA Turnpike’s network of 17 service plazas are ideal locations.?
* Let dispatchers or co-drivers know you’re committed to running distraction-free.
* Avoid scrolling or messaging while offloading, waiting or creeping in traffic – habits carry over.?
* Use “Do Not Disturb” features, silence notifications, or keep your phone out of sight until your trip ends.?