Cambridge, MA, October 2, 2025 — Cambridge Mobile Telematics (CMT), the world’s largest telematics service provider, today released an analysis showing that Pennsylvania’s new hands-free law has reduced distracted driving across the state by 1.6%. CMT estimates the reduction prevented 20 crashes, 10 injuries, and over $1.07M in economic damages. CMT defines phone motion distraction as when a phone moves with its screen on while a vehicle is in motion.

Handheld phone use, which increases crash risk by 135%, also decreased in the month after the law. In May 2025, Pennsylvania drivers spent an average of 25 seconds per hour interacting with their phones. One month after the law began, that number fell to 23 seconds per hour, a drop of 7.3%. 

Pennsylvania’s hands-free driving law, known as Paul Miller’s Law, bans handheld device use behind the wheel, including while stopped at traffic lights. Beginning June 5, 2026, law enforcement will issue written warnings for the first 12 months before transitioning to fines.

The CMT study analyzed more than 41 million trips in Pennsylvania between May 5, 2025, and July 5, 2025, measuring changes in distraction before and after the law took effect.

“Pennsylvania’s early results show how hands-free laws can reduce phone distraction behind the wheel,” said Tim Vogel, GM of Public Sector at Cambridge Mobile Telematics. “The next step is strengthening these initial gains. Education, enforcement, and public awareness will be essential to prevent more crashes, protect communities, and save lives.”

*Estimates are based on changes in crash rates from distracted driving, combined with the average crash cost of $23,954 from NHTSA’s report The Economic and Societal Impact of Motor Vehicle Crashes, 2019, and crash records reported by the State of Pennsylvania.

About Cambridge Mobile Telematics

Cambridge Mobile Telematics (CMT) is the world’s largest telematics service provider. Its mission is to make the world’s roads and drivers safer. The company’s AI-driven platform, DriveWell Fusion®, proactively identifies and reduces driving risk, leading to fewer crashes and injuries, making mobility safer. To date, CMT’s technology has helped prevent over 100,000 crashes worldwide. CMT partners with insurers, automakers, commercial mobility companies, and the public sector to measure risk, detect crashes, provide life-saving assistance, and streamline claims. Headquartered in Cambridge, MA, CMT operates globally with offices in Budapest, Chennai, Seattle, Tokyo, and Zagreb. Learn more at www.cmt.ai.