Latest news with #Armbruster
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Health
- Yahoo
Tips for protecting teen drivers during 100 deadliest days
AUSTIN (KXAN) — The period between Memorial Day and Labor Day typically sees a spike in deadly crashes involving younger drivers, according to the American Automobile Association, or AAA. It's become known as the '100 deadliest days' for teen driving. AAA reports teen drivers are nearly three times more likely than drivers aged 20 and older to be killed in a crash. Daniel Armbruster, a spokesperson for AAA in Texas and New Mexico, said it's in part due to the inexperience of younger drivers. 'But also we know this increase that we see in summer time is because of the fact that kids are out of school. They have more freedom and less supervision, and so they tend to behave in a way that is more risky behind the wheel,' Armbruster said. He highlighted speeding, impaired driving and distracted driving as some of the top factors contributing to crashes. According to AAA, 60% of all teen crashes involve a form of distraction, from smart phone use and texting to other passengers in the car. 'Talking, conversations can occur when you have several young people in a car, and the driver can become distracted,' Armbruster said, emphasizing the need for the state's graduated driver's licensing law. It restricts the number of people in the vehicle allowed with a teen driver to one person under the age of 21 that is not a family member. AAA also offers 'Dare to Prepare' workshops for teens and their parents to raise awareness. The free, 75-minute interactive or in-person workshop highlights the roles and responsibilities of driving, how to pick a safe vehicle and what to look for in a good driving school. Armbruster serves as an instructor for some of these workshops. 'A lot of times, teens come in, and you can see it on their face, right? 'Oh, a workshop my parent made me come to.' But they leave with a gratitude because they've received a lot of information that is helpful in not only saving their lives, but also the lives of everyone on the road,' he said. Across the country, 13,135 people died in a crash involving a teen driver between 2019-2023, according to a AAA review of crash data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. In Texas alone, 1,463 people died in teen crashes during that same period. Approximately 30% of those deaths occurred during the 100 Deadliest Days between Memorial Day and Labor Day. AAA's review went on to show that, on average, eight people are killed per day in teen-involved driving crashes in the summer, compared to seven per day during the rest of the year. In his experience with the Dare to Prepare workshops, Armbruster said the knowledge is as important for parents as it is for teens. 'If you are speeding, if you are driving distracted, they are more likely to pick that up,' he noted. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
25-05-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
East Texas gas prices fall ahead of Memorial Day
TYLER, Texas (KETK) – AAA has reported that the average gas price in Texas has fallen by five cents since last week and is down 39 cents when compared to this time last year. East Texas Gas Prices 'Lower gas prices will be welcome news for the record number of drivers heading out of town for the long holiday weekend,' AAA said in a press release on Thursday. 'Gas prices haven't been this low over Memorial Day since 2021 when the statewide average was $2.71. A record 3.2 million Texans are expected to drive 50 miles or more for leisure, this Memorial Day weekend.' According to AAA's weekend gas watch, Longview's gas prices are down 40 cents from last year, Texarkana's gas prices are down 42 cents from last year and Tyler's gas prices are down 36 cents from this time last year. AAA Texas spokesperson Daniel Armbruster said East Texans can thank supply and demand for these low prices. 'Supply and demand are playing a role in this year's lower pump prices as crude oil supply is currently surpassing demand,' Armbruster stated. To learn more, visit AAA's gas resources page online. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
23-05-2025
- Yahoo
AAA: What Texans can expect for Memorial Day travel
TYLER, Texas (KETK) — Memorial Day weekend 2025 is projected to see 3.7 million Texans travel from May 22-26; here are the changes AAA expects to see regarding gas prices, travel costs and traffic. LIST: Memorial Day events in East Texas Memorial Day is a sacred holiday that is dedicated to honoring the men and women who lost their lives while serving in the U.S. military. Many Texans will honor their fallen service members by enjoying a day off from work at the beach, local park or just having a classic cookout in the backyard. No matter how Texans choose to celebrate, chances are they will be doing some traveling beforehand. This year is going to see some travel cost fluctuation with an 8% decrease in car rental prices and a 2% increase in airfare charges. Tyler residents have noticed an increase in gas prices over the last week, averaging around $2.64 a gallon, but this is actually cheaper than last year's Memorial Day prices, according to AAA Texas spokesperson Daniel Armbruster. 'Prices are about 35 cents cheaper on average per gallon in East Texas going into this Memorial Day,' Armbruster said. SFA forced to cut several athletic programs due to ongoing budget concerns Even though over 300,000 Texans will travel through the air and 160,000 will move by train, bus or cruise, 3.2 million drivers will still be on the road this weekend. For those traveling through popular East Texas adjacent areas such as Houston, Austin or San Antonio, Armbruster recommends leaving earlier than everyone else. 'Your afternoon and evenings, especially around major metropolitan areas are going to be busier, the best time to leave is going to be in the morning, likely before noon,' Armbruster said.' Read this other article to learn more about how to be prepared for unexpected car trouble this weekend. . Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
10-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
New Mexico gas prices drop amid falling crude oil costs, economic uncertainty
Apr. 10—New Mexico gas prices dropped eight cents this week, which comes with the decline of crude oil prices in the wake of economic uncertainty at the federal level. AAA New Mexico Weekend Gas Watch reported Thursday the statewide average price for a gallon of unleaded fuel was $2.99. In Albuquerque, the state's largest city, gas is averaging $3.01, a decrease from $3.11 a week ago. Santa Fe-area residents are paying the cheapest amount for gas, as a gallon of fuel is averaging $2.90, according to AAA, a 17-cent drop from the week prior. Farmington residents are paying the most; a gallon of gas in that area of the state is averaging $3.07. Las Crucens are paying $2.93. AAA spokesperson Daniel Armbruster noted in a news release that the price of fuel is dropping during a time of year when it typically goes up. He said "supply and demand" is the main reason for the dip, adding that OPEC+ announced it's increasing oil production in May by more than 400,000 barrels a day. "Crude oil prices have dipped below $60 per barrel for the first time since February 2021, putting downward pressure on retail gas prices," Armbruster said in a statement. "Because crude oil accounts for about half the cost of a gallon of gasoline, this decline is a key factor driving lower prices at the pump."
Yahoo
09-04-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
REAL ID deadline approaches. Here's what you need to know
The Brief The deadline is fast approaching for driver's licenses and ID cards complying with REAL ID If you do not have a REAL ID, you could be turned away at the airport REAL ID is meant to add an extra layer of security, create consistency, and prevent identity thef AUSTIN, Texas - State-issued driver's licenses and identification cards must fully comply with the REAL ID Act for all official federal government purposes. Millions of Americans have driver's licenses that do not meet the REAL ID requirements, and spots to get the right one at the DMV will likely fill up quickly. Domestic travelers need to check their driver's license because if yours is not compliant with the REAL ID Act, you might be turned away at the airport. The backstory On Tuesday, Rhett Siddoway was flying from ABIA to Salt Lake City, Utah. "I mean people could show up to the airport not even be able to get onto their flight, which would be terrible," said Rhett Siddoway. The TSA predicts the confusion over this change will likely cause airport delays. "The Texas Department of Public Safety has a tool on their website to check if your Texas ID is compliant," said Daniel Armbruster, with AAA Texas. The easiest way to check if your driver's license qualifies as a REAL ID is to look for the gold star in the upper right-hand corner. Some states, like Texas and Florida, already meet the requirements. "If it was issued in Texas within the last nine years, then you're likely going to be Real ID compliant and have nothing to worry about," said Armbruster. Starting on May 7, 2025, REAL IDs will be required for all domestic travel in the U.S., including entering federal facilities and flying domestic. "I would probably say most people don't know about it, depending on their state," said Siddoway. "The state might just kind of already just handle it by giving it to them on their ID when they get new ones, but I don't if a lot of people know to go and actually get one if they need one." It is meant to add an extra layer of security, create consistency, and prevent identity theft. "So roughly 20 years ago, Congress enacted this law following 9-11 to increase security, and this is one way that that act does it," said Armbruster. The necessary documents needed to get a REAL ID vary by state. However, once you are approved, most DMVs will mail the REAL ID to you in about two-to-three weeks. For anyone who cannot get to the DMV in time to update their license, valid passports or U.S. military ID cards are also acceptable. The Source Information from interviews conducted by FOX 7 Austin's Katie Pratt
