NBC Dateline recently created a four part series called, “My Kid Would Never Do That,” which secretly videotaped teens when they are put into difficult situations.

These situations could be anything like talking to strangers, or texting while driving. Parents of these teens would later watch their actions and see what their children would actually do.

One episode was about teens getting into a car with another person that is under the influence, but the person under the influence was actually an actor without telling the teen. Many parents sat back and watched in shock as their sons and daughters got into a car with a driver under the influence.

According to First Eagle, 60 percent of all teen deaths in car accidents are alcohol-related. This comes from teens being naive and thinking that they are invincible and can handle this dangerous situation, even if they are not the driver, but are the passenger.

“[Teens getting in a car with an under the influence driver] think that it’s okay to get into the car with them [drunk drivers] just because it’s their friend,” said senior Garrett Clifton.
Teens should always have an alternative way to protect themselves and others.

Of course parents teach their children to always make right choices and do the right thing, but when it’s almost too late to turn back what can they do to fix the situation?
“[An option would be] finding someone who is sober to take them home, or call their parents,” said Clifton.

Surprisingly, many programs are out there to help not only adults, but teens when they are under the influence and need a ride home.

A program called “Safe Rides” is an organization that takes calls from intoxicated teens, and volunteers can give them a ride home.

Sometimes under the influence drivers are caught in their first time offense. More than twenty states show first-time driving under the influence people panels of drunken driving victim’s families.

These are supposed to show people, especially teens, that drunk driving is a serious issue and can harm not only their lives, but someone else’s life too.

Although it can be hard to stop someone from being under the influence, one can make smarter, abstinent decisions.