TV Reviews : ‘CBS Schoolbreak’ Warns Teen Drivers

A car accident pleads the case for responsible teen driving in “Please God, I’m Only 17,” a simple but effective “CBS Schoolbreak Special” (today at 3 p.m., Channels 2 and 8).

Viewers get the accident victim’s view as the show opens at the scene of a car crash with paramedics and police working over the bloodied body of Michael (Michael Landes).

During his fight for survival, we hear Michael’s increasingly desperate thoughts--”It’s not fair. I haven’t really lived yet”-- and see his recent past in flashbacks.

The happy-go-lucky high schooler had lots of friends, a close family (Talia Shire and Randolph Mantooth play the parents; Roxana Zal is his older sister), a comfortable home and a new girlfriend (Emily Warfield). Cars were for looking cool and racing around with friends; Michael was surprised that his girlfriend refused to double date when his buddy at the wheel was drinking a beer.

This isn’t about drunk driving, however. It’s simply about what can happen when a heedless driver controls three potentially deadly tons of metal. Michael courts disaster by rushing lights, not wearing a seat belt and being distracted by the radio and the mirror.

The grim, cautionary script by Peter Z. Orton and Richard John David is based on a letter to “Dear Abby.” The superior cast is well-directed by Strath Hamilton.