Killeen is a fast-paced city, quickly growing, in close proximity to Fort Hood, the largest military base in the United States. From 2000 to 2010, Killeen grew by 47.19%! That's an astounding amount of growth. (Compare to Texas as a whole at 20.59%.)
With new growth comes new drivers, and with more of our kids on the road than ever before, it falls to us to properly arm them for driving, both with information and insurance. According to the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles, 2.6 million Texas drivers go without minimum required insurance. Don't be a part of this statistic--and don't allow your children to be, either. With the recent account of Killeen 16 and 17 year olds fleeing the police, we must confront the harsh reality that Kileen kids are behind the wheel whether we like it or not, and they do not always make the best decisions.
Educating our teens for on proper driving practices is one of the most important things we can do in protecting their future. Statistics show that sixteen year olds have higher crash rates than drivers of any other age, that teenage drivers and passengers are among those least likely to wear their seatbelts and most likely to speed. In 2010, 54% of passenger vehicle occupants ages 16-20 who perished in accidents were not buckled up. 37% of male drivers ages 15-20 who were involved in fatal crashes were speeding at the time! Show your children these statistics!
Invest in drivers' education for your children. Even if you can teach them yourself, it behooves them to learn thoroughly the ins and outs of traffic laws and the potential consequences of disregarding these through an established curriculum. Impress upon your teenage children the seriousness of buckling up, of following the speed limit, of remaining sober and aware of their surroundings while on the road, both for their safety and for the safety of those around them. At every opportunity, remind your children what is at stake: not only their money and their driving privileges, but their precious lives.
After we are certain our children are ready for the road, there is one final measure we must take to ensure their protection: insurance. Please do not drive uninsured and do not allow your children to do so. Texas requires minimum liability insurance coverage of $30,000 for each injured person, up to a total of $60,000 per accident and $25,000 for property damage per accident. There are providers everywhere for this 30/60/25 coverage, but the best choice is often the one closest to home. Even if you and your family are not eligible for military insurance, there are many fantastic local options like Allstar Insurance available to Killeen residents.
Killeen parents, let's join together in raising a generation of responsible drivers. Together, we can do it.
