It's advice responsible parents give to their teenagers when they're at the age when friends can drive a car - never, under any circumstances, ride in a vehicle if the driver has been drinking. It's advice everyone should follow.

Unfortunately, too many people make the stupid decision and get in the car with a drunk driver. When a crash occurs, of course the drunk driver bears the most responsibility. But the teens and adults who choose to ride along also must realize they made a terrible decision.

But what happens when the passenger is a young child and when the drunk driver is an adult who's supposed to be responsible for the child's care?

In New York state, there is no extra punishment for such a situation. And despite proposed legislation to make it an automatic felony for driving drunk with a child passenger, state lawmakers have been unable to reach an agreement to get the measure passed.

The Associated Press reported last week that the bill is being held up because some lawmakers believe not all offenses should be a felony, that circumstances with lower blood-alcohol levels should be a misdemeanor.

What utter nonsense. Driving under the influence with a child in the vehicle needs to treated as a serious crime no matter the level of impairment.

Republican Sen. Charles Fuschillo Jr. of Long Island said it well last week: “New York has to send a clear message. These children become defenseless hostages because they are too young to take away the keys or call a cab.”

It's for this reason that we urge lawmakers to reject a watered-down version of this legislation if it comes up for a vote this week. And once the weaker version is officially defeated, they should get to work immediately on passing a law that will actually serve the purpose of protecting innocent children.