Driving a car may seem like a normal task for experienced drivers, but it requires as much attention as other daily tasks. Sometimes, it can get lost in the routine if a mistake is made it can cost someone else’s life, and with the high numbers of accidents, many states in the U.S. are inflicting tough punishments for those who don’t pay attention to the speed limit, reckless driving near school areas, or the use of electronic devices. These measures are not only to prevent car accidents from happening, but also to protect people on the sidewalks or kids playing ball in the street around neighborhoods
Car accidents kill thousands of people every year
According to the National Safety Council, in March 2025, there were 3,330 deaths caused by car accidents, 1.1% higher than March 2024. Speeding alone is responsible for nearly 29% of all fatalities. The second-biggest reason why car crashes happen is distracted driving. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) estimates that 3,000 deaths on the road are caused by distracted drivers.
Texting, calling, adjusting the radio takes the driver’s attention away, and it becomes the reason why someone runs a red light at a crossroad. Florida, New York, and now Pennsylvania are starting to implement rigorous measures to avoid more deaths.
Pennsylvania creates a new law to prevent distracted driving
Pennsylvania joined other states with the creation of the Distracted Driving Law, which states that if a driver has a cellphone in their hands while steering a vehicle, they can be pulled over by the police. Starting on June 5, the use of handheld devices while driving will be banned. On the other hand, in the first year of the bill, the person who gets caught with the devices in their hands can receive only a warning. However, by the same day in 2026, violating the statute will cost a $50 fine, court costs, and other fees.
The state already has a texting-while-driving ban active that prohibits drivers from using mobile devices to send or respond to text messages. The penalty for violating is the same as the one to be effective next year for breaking the Paul Miller Jr. law – named after a citizen of Monroe County killed by a distracted driver, who went to reach for his phone while driving a tractor-trailer in 2010.
New consequences for convicted road homicides
The number of accidents decreased last year in comparison to 2023, with 1,179 registered fatalities – the second-lowest volume of deaths since 1928, according to the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT). The agency shared that between 2022 and 2024, 800 accidents were caused by people distracted by talking on their cellphones.
The measure was created to avoid more accidents, and from now on, if a driver is convicted of homicide by vehicle because they were driving distracted, the sentence can go up by an additional five years. The governor of Pennsylvania, Josh Shapiro, shared that as he signed the law that he met people with injuries suffered in car accidents caused by distracted drivers, who will have to live with the consequences for the rest of their lives.
Better stop the car than go to court
It is advised that if the use of the cellphone is needed for numerous reasons, the driver should pull over to a safe spot and then use the device. Even if it’s stopped at a traffic light, or delayed moving on the road for any reason, the police officer is authorized to stop the vehicle to investigate, but it might come with a price: In Maryland, four major accidents happened in 2025 resulting from drivers fleeing from traffic stops, which led the state to consider a new bill that would change how the police approach a suspect vehicle.