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KSPR Tests Teens Texting While Driving

By Brad Belote

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.



Thursday, Nov 27 at 9:45 PM jaZZ wrote ...

DIS IS DANGERGOUS I HAVE FAMILY DOIN THAT WHILE I WAS IN THE CAR WIT THEM I GET SO SCARED WHEN THEY AINT PAYING NO ATTEINTION N IT MAKE WANTED TO YELL AT EM OR THROW THEIR PHO OUT THE WINDOW CAUSE I USE TO BE IN CAR ADDCIENT LIKE 2 TIMES N I GOT SENT TO THE HOSPITAL ONE TIME..I SOONER GOT BETTER BUT AFTER I HEARD BOUT THAT WAS SCARED ME AS HELL IF I EVER SEE ANYONE TXTING OR TALKIN ON THE PHO I AINT RIDING CAUSE I KNW SOME PEOPLE DNT CARE N THEY THINK IT WONT HAPPEN TO THEM BUT REGET IT WILL

Friday, Nov 7 at 7:50 AM Anonymous wrote ...

I agree with the fact that it is dangerous all the way. Talking on a cell phone takes your attention away from the road whether you know it or not. Just the other day my dad was on his cell phone while driving and he missed two turns, pulled past the speaker at a fast food restaurant, and got lost on the way back home. It’s not only what’s taking your eyes off the road that is dangerous, it is taking your attention off the road. You cant truthfully say that you can talk and safely study the area

Thursday, Mar 13 at 3:27 PM Ryan wrote ...

adults are getting worse about us teen drivers useing cell phones while driving. I am almsot 18 and i drive better while on a cell phone talking rather than a passanger talking and there is many reasons for that. one is that a passanger always wants to show u something which takes ur eyes off the road. i will admit while texting i do look up and down alot but i am able to control the car just as if no one was with me. I believe this law is no good for the main reason that its a second offense.

Friday, Feb 22 at 11:42 PM Anita from Buffalo wrote ...

Talking & Texting are two different things .I myself think texting is alot more dangerous & as far as phones should be handsfree. Truck Drivers have to have a head phone with 1 free ear so they can hear other things that might be going on, so why should it be different for car drivers? Driving is still driving.

Friday, Feb 22 at 1:19 PM Lee Munroe wrote ...

Can we make this a mandatory part of getting a driver's license????

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