As the school year winds down, the annual rites of prom and commencement for area high school students are just down the road.

And so are the annual reminders cautioning drivers against operating a vehicle while impaired or while distracted.

In Pennsylvania the law has been pretty clear on drunk or impaired driving.

Violating it can ultimately cost lives, but some of the luckier drivers may only have to deal with minimal fines or a slap on the wrist.

While there are hard and fast ways to determine whether someone has been drinking or using some illicit substances while behind the wheel, proving that a driver was texting is a bit more difficult.

These days, if a police officer catches a driver drafting a message, it’ll cost $50 as a summary offense violation, plus court costs.

But the law doesn’t cover browsing the internet, taking a selfie or watching a video or any other use of a mobile, wireless device while driving.

State Sen. Rosemary Brown, a Monroe County Republican, has been working to change that since 2012, when she was a state representative.

Senate Bill 37 would make all forms of handheld cellphone use while driving a primary offense subject to a $50 fine. The proposal made it through the state House, and is now in a Senate committee as it awaits the signature of Gov. Josh Shapiro.

After 12 years, the proposal has been at the center of plenty of discussion.

There were concerns over police stopping non-white drivers, prompting language that requires police to log and report race when dealing with a potential violation.

In addition, it requires police training to show law enforcement what to look for before they stop a potential violator.

The bill doesn’t flat-out forbid cellphone use, allowing it with hands-free technology like Bluetooth or a speaker phone.

There was some opposition during a vote on the House floor.

Local Republican State Rep. Doyle Heffley said he opposed the legislation because it would unfairly penalize people who drive older vehicles without built-in hands free connections for cellphones. Heffley said using a handheld device should be a secondary offense, meaning a police officer would be required to observe another traffic violation in order to stop a driver.

“If you can safely operate that vehicle and call your son or daughter on a handheld device, you shouldn’t be getting pulled over and fined,” Heffley said. “We can prove if you’re in an accident and you were texting.”

That may be true for some, but I’d feel a whole lot safer with two hands on the wheel. Besides, it’s not a good example to send children.

I’m not sure any self-respecting parent would condone having their young driver take that chance and risk their lives - or someone else’s life.

Besides, for under $20, adapters available today link older vehicles and cellphones, making them hands-free and are an inexpensive solution to Heffley’s perceived problem.

But texting or calling someone while driving aren’t the only risks families face in the months ahead.

Warmer weather and the approach of summer bring new challenges on area roads.

Young people celebrating their graduations, the end of classes, proms all can combine for trouble.

And a phone doesn’t need to be involved.

Any distraction - fiddling with the radio, checking the navigation system, eating, drinking, checking makeup - can take a driver’s eyes and attention off the road.

And any of those distractions were enough to kill one of 3,000 people who die in vehicle accidents each year - nine people a day, according to the Centers for Disease Control.

Despite all the warnings, unfortunately that may continue, as teens in vehicle crashes have become an unfortunate part of the times over the years.

Rep. Brown’s legislation is a good step forward. But it’s also a time to refocus efforts regarding cars and connectivity. Instead of punishing drivers after the fact, it may be better to point out the consequences of their actions before anything happens.

Awareness groups changed the way we look at many things across the country. Maybe it’s time for a larger dose of prevention.

Until something like that takes hold, “Eyes on the road, not on the cellphone” will have to be enough.

ED SOCHA | tneditor@tnonline.com

The foregoing opinions do not necessarily reflect the views of the Editorial Board or Times News LLC.