Pictured left to right- Eileen Miller and Governor Josh Shapiro
Photo credit to The Citizen’s Voice
By: Molly Cunningham
Recently, the class of 2028 attended a powerful assembly on distracted driving. The speaker, Eileen Miller, shared a deeply personal story about her son, Paul Miller Jr., who tragically lost his life in July 2010 because of a distracted driver. Paul was driving home from East Stroudsburg University when a semi-truck crossed a multi-lane highway and struck him head-on. The driver later admitted he had reached down to pick up a cell phone that had fallen to the floor.
After learning the circumstances of her son’s death, Eileen committed herself to preventing other families from experiencing similar losses.
Twelve years later, her efforts led to the passage of Paul Miller’s Law in Pennsylvania, taking effect on June 5, 2025. Paul Miller’s Law makes it illegal for drivers to use a handheld interactive mobile device while behind the wheel. For the first year, violations are met with written warnings; in June 2026, fines of up to $50 will be issued
Although Eileen accepted some compromises in the legislation, she told the students that she will continue advocating for stronger protections in honor of her son, and she thanks Governor Josh Shapiro for signing this important bill into law.
