Rowlett -
Smiling ear to ear, Samantha Minter couldn't wait to get behind the wheel while taking Driver's Education at the Rowlett Driving School. The 17-year old is about to get her driver's license and considers it a big responsibility. "I am not just responsible for my life, but for others on the road and in my car".
It is a dangerous time for Minter and other teens to be on the road because of what experts say are the bad habits of other teenage drivers. The summer months are considered to be the deadliest 100 days on the road for teens because of car crashes often related to texting, talking on cell phones, speeding, even drinking.
Driving instructor, Sam Ramirez says he sees it every summer when inexperienced drivers get out of school and on the roads. "It takes at least five years to be a good driver and many of these teens have never driven and they don't even realize their speed". Experts say it may be teenage bad habits adding to the problems on the road. "They are often texting and talking with friends and that can led to crashes", says Lt. Steve Ferrie with the Rowlett Police Department.
A new survey by Allstate Insurance indicates teens bad habits may be getting worse. 45% of North Texas teens reported drinking while driving or riding with someone who had been drinking. Another 64% said they often text while driving. 30% said they didn't care about getting a speeding ticket.
Experts say the best way to curb those bad habits is for parents to talk to teens and to each other. "If you are in a car with someone who is texting a teen needs to speak up and if that person has been drinking get out of the car", says Kristen Beaman with Allstate Insurance.
Remember Minter, who is about to be a legal driver. She says she won't hesitate to scold her friends if they are doing something dangerous. "I will take my friends phone away, if she tries to text".
It is a dangerous time for Minter and other teens to be on the road because of what experts say are the bad habits of other teenage drivers. The summer months are considered to be the deadliest 100 days on the road for teens because of car crashes often related to texting, talking on cell phones, speeding, even drinking.
Driving instructor, Sam Ramirez says he sees it every summer when inexperienced drivers get out of school and on the roads. "It takes at least five years to be a good driver and many of these teens have never driven and they don't even realize their speed". Experts say it may be teenage bad habits adding to the problems on the road. "They are often texting and talking with friends and that can led to crashes", says Lt. Steve Ferrie with the Rowlett Police Department.
A new survey by Allstate Insurance indicates teens bad habits may be getting worse. 45% of North Texas teens reported drinking while driving or riding with someone who had been drinking. Another 64% said they often text while driving. 30% said they didn't care about getting a speeding ticket.
Experts say the best way to curb those bad habits is for parents to talk to teens and to each other. "If you are in a car with someone who is texting a teen needs to speak up and if that person has been drinking get out of the car", says Kristen Beaman with Allstate Insurance.
Remember Minter, who is about to be a legal driver. She says she won't hesitate to scold her friends if they are doing something dangerous. "I will take my friends phone away, if she tries to text".
