New distracted driving law brings hundreds of citations in Central Pa.

A law banning the use of handheld devices went into full effect in June. Local state police troops have already issued hundreds of fines. Pennsylvania State Police issued more than 210 citations in June throughout Central PA. Paul Miller's law is named after a young man in Monroe County who died in 2010 after another driver reached for his phone, swerved into Miller's Lane, and caused a head-on collision. Pennsylvanians had one year when police could only issue warnings, but they can now anticipate a $50 fine if they're caught using their device. With additional fees, an infraction will cost closer to $200. Megan Fraser is the public information officer for Troop H, which covers Perry, Cumberland, Dauphin, Adams, and Franklin counties. She says a driver checking their phone for just five seconds can be dangerous. It's the same as driving with your eyes closed for an entire length of a football field. Law enforcement recommends anyone who needs to check a device or send a message safely pull off the road. It's not that important. That text or phone call is not worth risking your life or anyone else's life. State police have not released the July numbers yet. In Harrisburg, I'm Katie Knoll. WITF News.