A TRAFFIC lawyer has sparked debate after warning drivers they could be pulled over simply for touching their phone.
The viral warning was shared by the lawyer in the form of a TikTok video where she noted drivers could get cited even if they’re stopped at a red light.
A traffic lawyer warned drivers they can now be pulled over for simply touching their phone (stock image)[/caption]
The clip was posted by @nyticketdefenders, a criminal and traffic attorney group based in New York.
In the short video, attorney Wendy Bishop says, “Do you know a cop can pull you over for touching your phone, even while at a traffic light?”
She continues, “On June 5, 2025, New York passed this no-touch law, actually 31 states passed it.
“You are no longer allowed to touch your phone while stopped for any reason, so do not give a cop any reason to pull you.”
The TikTok has already gathered over 15,000 views and more than 500 likes at the time of writing.
Bishop insisted to drivers, “Don’t touch your phone!”
She went on to say that the “no touch law” can result in fines up to $450.
The law in question is a hands-free law that bans drivers from touching their devices while behind the wheel, even when fully stopped.
New York’s new version of the law went into effect on June 5, 2025.
It follows a similar law enacted in Pennsylvania on the same date.
The law even applies to those who use GPS navigation on their phones while driving.
That law has officially been dubbed “Paul Miller’s Law,” named after a man who was killed in a 2010 crash in Monroe County.
Authorities said the crash happened because another driver was distracted while reaching for a phone.
The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation said Paul’s death was a driving force behind the new legislation.
HANDS OFF
Currently, there are 31 states, plus the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, and the US Virgin Islands, where drivers are prohibited from using hand-held cell phones while driving.
Across these states, law enforcement officers can generally ticket a driver for using a hand-held cell phone without any other traffic offense taking place.
Some states, however, don’t have a complete ban on hand-held devices, but may instead have restrictions for specific groups – like novice drivers or school bus drivers.
What’s more, most states ban texting while driving.
The aforementioned 31 states are:
- Alabama
- Arizona
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- Georgia
- Hawaii
- Idaho
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Maine
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Missouri
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New York
- Ohio
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- Tennessee
- Vermont
- Virginia
- Washington
- West Virginia
While the viral video claims the law went into effect in 31 states on June 5, 2025, that’s not entirely true.
Only Pennsylvania’s law officially started that day.
The other 30 states already had similar laws in place prior to June.
Some states adopted their hands-free rules as far back as 2008.
All 31 states ban the use of handheld cellphones while driving, including when stopped at a red light.
States with the law include California, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Massachusetts, New Jersey, and Texas, among others.
New York has had a hands-free law since 2001, but this updated version, which is what went into effect in June, is much stricter.
It now bans drivers from even picking up or tapping their phones when stopped at a red light or in traffic.
The law makes an exception only for emergencies, such as calling 911.
Violating the law could result in a $450 fine and points on your license.
According to the New York State Department of Motor Vehicles, fines start at $50 but can quickly rise.
The maximum fine for a third or subsequent offense within 18 months reaching $450.
For junior drivers, it may also lead to a license suspension.
The Governors Highway Safety Association confirmed these laws exist in 31 states and several US territories.
All but Alabama and Missouri allow primary enforcement, meaning cops don’t need another reason to pull you over.
Traffic attorneys are now urging drivers to stay alert and keep their phones out of reach.
