Pennsylvania Cops Hand Out Nearly 700 Phone Tickets in 72 Hours Under New State Ban

Pennsylvania’s new handheld phone ban is already biting hard. State police launched Operation Hands Off, a three-day enforcement blitz from June 8–10, and troopers issued 694 citations and 308 warnings for drivers caught holding or using a phone behind the wheel. The crackdown began just days after the law took effect on June 5, making Pennsylvania the 33rd state (plus D.C.) to ban handheld phone use while driving. The law is a primary offense—cops can pull you over solely for holding a phone, even at a red light. A $50 fine looks light, but court costs and fees can push the total much higher. During the same stretch, troopers also arrested 98 drivers for DUI, issued over 6,000 additional traffic citations, and handed out more than 4,000 warnings for other violations. The data covers only Pennsylvania State Police activity, so the real numbers across all departments are likely even higher. The state spent the previous year warning drivers instead of ticketing them, but now the gloves are off.