Salisbury Township police officers can pull over vehicles of drivers who are holding cellphones while driving.

Act 18 of 2024 prohibits vehicle drivers from using “interactive mobile devices.” Violators face a summary offense and $50 fine, upon conviction.

Salisbury Township Commissioner Alok Patnaik brought the matter to the attention of the public at the June 27 township meeting.

Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro signed the legislation into law June 5.

Municipal police departments will observe a 12-month grace period. Warnings begin in 2025. Citations can be written as of June 2026.

The law is referred to as “Paul Miller’s Law,” in honor of Paul Miller Jr., who died in 2010 in a Monroe County vehicle accident with a tractor-trailer operated by an alleged distracted driver.

The bill for the law was introduced 12 years ago by state Sen. Rosemary M. Brown, R- 40th.

Drivers may use their phone to make calls or for streaming services if the device is hands-free such as with a docking station, Bluetooth or speakers.

Drivers may use mobile devices to contact law enforcement or emergency services and for navigation. The law does not prohibit use by emergency personnel and commercial drivers.

The law requires police to collect data on drivers pulled over during traffic stops, including race, ethnicity and gender which will then be made publicly available.

According to the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation’s annual crash information report, in 2023, distracted driving was the leading cause of car crashes in Pennsylvania.

A majority of states in the United States ban motorists from handling a cellphone for almost any purpose while driving.

Lt. Chris Casey, in the Salisbury Police Department’s report to commissioners June 27, lauded the quick response of township police officers in the arrest of “porch pirates,” a term to describe those who take packages left outside residence doors by delivery persons.

The Salisbury Township Police Department 3:19 p.m. June 24, arrested two adult males for their roles in taking an Apple iPad valued at $1,500 from a victim’s porch in the 800 block of East Montgomery Street.

According to a June 27 news release from Salisbury Township police, arrested were:

-Alison Santana Chavez, 30, male, of Allentown, charged with criminal conspiracy to commit theft, fleeing or attempting to elude police officer, reckless driving, careless driving, drivers required to be licensed and registration and certificate of title required.

Chavez was transported to the Lehigh County Central Booking Center where he was committed to Lehigh County Prison.

-Edward Padilla, 23, male, of Bethlehem, charged with theft by unlawful taking or disposition and receiving stolen property.

Padilla was transported to the Lehigh County Central Booking Center where he was committed to Lehigh County Prison.

In other business at the June 27 meeting, commissioners voted 4-0 with one commissioner absent, to approve:

-Motion appointing Arnaldo Lopez as 1st Ward representative to the recreation advisory committee.

-Motion for Arts Academy Charter School Memorandum of Understanding.

-Motion for $106,539 payment to Bracalente Construction for road equipment rental with operators’ contract work.

During the township meeting workshop, Salisbury Township Director of Finance Paul Ziegenfus discussed the 2023 audit by Bucko Lisicky & Company. A representative of the firm is to attend an upcoming commissioners’ meeting.

In a report to commissioners, Salisbury Township Recreation Director Genny Baillie said, “Our playground program is up and running.

“It started Monday [June 17] despite the awful hot weather,” Baillie said.

Sprinklers were turned on at Lindberg Park.

Baillie said a dog walker was rude to playground program staffers. Another dog owner was warned when his dog was unleashed, Baillie said.

The recreation program’s film showing June 26 in Laubach Park was canceled because of a thunderstorm.

Salisbury Township Director, Public Works, Jim Levernier said township public crews began the cleanup June 27 from the June 26 storm. Cleanup is expected to continue the week of July 1.

Upcoming Salisbury Township meetings in the municipal building, 2900 S. Pike Ave., include: 7 p.m. July 10, zoning hearing board; 7 p.m. July 11, board of commissioners; 7 p.m. July 24, planning commission and 7 p.m. July 25, board of commissioners.