Sundance Channel, Seventeen and SADD Campaign Raises Awareness of Drunk Driving (Exclusive Video)

Sundance Channel’s upcoming series Push Girls, Seventeen magazine and SADD (Students Against Drunk Driving) have partnered for a campaign to raise awareness of the dangers of driving under the influence.

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The initiative includes a PSA produced by Sundance Channel, an online pledge available at Seventeen’s Facebook page and the Sundance Channel website and a feature in Seventeen’s May issue, on stands now.

“We’re pleased to partner with SADD and Seventeen on this important issue and to help promote students making healthier, safer choices in their lives,” Sundance Channel GM Sarah Barnett says. “Our Push Girls live with the ramifications of destructive decisions – particularly drunk driving. While the series captures their daily challenges, it’s the personal triumphs, humor and boldness of these women that shatter all expectations of what it’s like to live life in a wheelchair.”

Push Girls star Chelsie Hill, 19, was paralyzed in high school after a car crash caused by drunk driving. She has since made it her mission to share her story with other teenagers to help prevent future tragedies.

“Teens have the world of opportunities open to them, but they may not have the experience to recognize risks from dangerous behaviors like underage drinking and riding with an impaired driver,” SADD executive director Penny Wells says.  “This is where friends can help – by speaking up and watching out for their friends. Chelsie delivers this message as a peer, and SADD is proud to be a part of this project.”

Hill is featured in the Seventeen feature and in a PSA, alongside the magazine’s editor-in-chief Ann Shoket, that premieres Tuesday on Seventeen.com and Sundance Channel’s websites and will air during the run of Push Girls, which premieres June 5.

“This pledge is a promise we’re asking our readers to make to themselves, to make smart decisions and encourage their friends to do the same,” Shoket says. “I am personally so inspired by Chelsie and the work she does to educate teens — I know our readers will be awed by her upbeat, positive, ‘nothing can stop me’ attitude.” 

Watch THR’s first look at the PSA featuring Shoket and Hill above.

Email: Jethro.Nededog@thr.com; Twitter: @TheRealJethro