Texting is second nature to most teens. And though they won't admit it, many will take their eyes off the road or dart them up and down to text while they're driving.

It’s a dangerous habit we wanted to see for ourselves how they do it.

KSPR put these teens behind the wheel on a closed course with a drivers education instructor in the car and a Missouri Highway Patrol trooper on their tail.

Many changed their tune about multi-tasking after taking a few turns on our course.

No one knocked down any cones but there were a few close calls.
They consistently crossed the center line, hit their brakes and appeared to be concentrating so hard they were driving the course at just nine miles an hour when it could be done at 20.

The highway patrol says using a cell phone while you drive lowers your mental capacity to that of a seven or eight year old.

Other studies have found drivers using cell phones are just as bad as drunk drivers.

After navigating the course these teens say they don't need studies or stats.