Pennsylvania police can cite drivers who pick up their phones, even at red light, beginning June 6
By Marcie Cipriani
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PITTSBURGH, Pennsylvania (WTAE) — Eileen Miller says the upcoming enforcement of a new Pennsylvania law named after her late son is emotional for her, as it fulfills a promise she made to him after his death.
“His legacy is going to save lives,” Miller said.
Paul Miller was 21 years old when his parents received the devastating knock on their door.
“There was no reason, absolutely no reason for my son to die that day,” Eileen Miller said.
Paul Miller lost his life along a Pennsylvania road after a distracted tractor-trailer driver caused a crash. The tragedy filled his mother with grief and determination. For years, Eileen Miller fought to keep cellphones out of drivers’ hands.
Starting next month, Paul Miller’s Law will allow officers to cite drivers who pick up their phones, even at a red light.
“When you’re looking down at that last email, text, whatever it is, it takes your brain 27 seconds to look back up on the road and get your brain back engaged to what you were last doing,” Eileen Miller said.
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Police departments are now working to spread awareness about the dangers of distracted driving.
Eileen Miller shared a video created by Hopewell Township police, which they said was designed to grab drivers’ attention.
“We wanted to bring something here, not just to Hopewell Township but to Beaver County, to be shared, to get the message out there. I think not only the kids can relate to it, but the adults can relate to it as well,” Hopewell Township Officer Jared Rogers said.
Reflecting on her 15-year fight, Miller said the journey has been emotional but worthwhile. Sitting in her son’s memory room, she shared how she found the strength to keep pushing for change.
“At Paul’s crash site, when I went, there was this handle there from this car, and I picked it up. It had blood and dirt on it. When my legislation wasn’t going through, I would grab this handle, and I could hear my son at the crash site saying, ‘Mom, you can get a handle on this. You can do this, Mom.’ So a lot of times I come in here at night, and I’ll hold it, and I feel like I’m holding his hand,” Miller said.
Eileen Miller says her motivation to keep fighting for even stricter distracted driving laws remains strong.
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