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Bellefonte police brief council on new cell‑phone driving law and enforcement timeline
Summary
Police Chief Whitmer summarized changes under the Paul Miller law (Senate Bill 37) and explained enforcement and a one‑year warning period before monetary fines begin; the law tightens when drivers may use interactive wireless devices and shifts the burden of proof for exemptions in some cases.
Bellefonte's police chief briefed council members at their Feb. 15 meeting on recent changes to Pennsylvania law governing use of cell phones while driving, known by supporters as the Paul Miller law (Senate Bill 37), and explained the department's public‑education and enforcement timeline.
The briefing matters because the law alters when and how drivers may use interactive wireless devices and will allow primary enforcement for device use once the statutory phase‑in ends.
Chief Whitmer said the law expands the definition of "driving" and removes the prior allowance for using a device while the vehicle is temporarily stopped in traffic. "If you're stopped at a stop sign, traffic light, and a traffic jam, you can use your device — now what it's saying is, not anymore. You have to pull off the road, out of the flow of traffic," Whitmer said. He summarized the legal framework by reference to Pennsylvania Title 75 and noted the change is commonly referred to as the Paul Miller law (Senate Bill 37).
Whitmer outlined a phased enforcement approach: starting June 5, 2025, officers may stop drivers and issue warnings for unlawful use of interactive wireless devices; monetary fines and citations may begin after a one‑year educational period, on June 5, 2026. He described permissible uses and exceptions the statute lists, including emergency communications with law enforcement or medical services. Whitmer also explained changes in enforcement burden: officers will now record device use and drivers may need to justify certain uses (for example, an emergency call) if stopped.
Council members asked about outreach to the public and to students. Whitmer said the department will prepare materials for the borough newsletter and asked staff to add an informational page or subsection to the police section of the borough website. He encouraged the council to share the educational materials with the school district; council members asked specifically that information be provided to high school students as well.
Ending: Chief Whitmer urged education and outreach ahead of the enforcement phase and the council agreed to post educational materials on the borough website and to coordinate outreach to schools. No ordinance change was proposed at the meeting.
