February 23, 2007 -- A future program in the Socorro Independent School District is creating awareness when it comes to responsible driving.

"They show off; they like burning tires and driving fast," said 16-year -old Alejandro Navarete from Socorro High School.

Some teenagers like Navarete agree some students need to take more responsibility behind the wheel. That's why the Texas Transportation Institute is presenting a public awareness campaign that lets the students do the talking.

"Parents can get involved, but what we found is the most effective way is students talking to their friends about the major risk factors involved in driving," said Jeff Shelton, a research engineer for the Texas Transportation Institute.

Shelton said the main risk teenagers face when they begin to drive is simply inexperience, but when you couple that with other factors like no seat belts or speeding and racing, it really compounds the problem.

In the last month, three Socorro High School students lost their lives in car wrecks, and state officials said they hope other teens will learn from these tragic events.

On Jan. 12, a Socorro High School senior lost her life when the car in which she was traveling ran a red light and was broadsided by an oncoming vehicle.

A week later, two Socorro High School teens were racing up Horizon Boulevard, ran a light and were hit by an oncoming vehicle.

"It's sad that a tragedy happened, and I hurt for those people because I know what they must be going through, but out of bad good can come," said Cathy Kaiser, a parent of a 15-and an 18-year olds.

The district is optimistic that the future program will affect students' lives.

"When we talk about our school-aged kids and cutting their lives short, it's devastating to families and friends around them," said Sylvia P. Atkinson with SISD.