Ford Motor Company has a vested interest in keeping new and young drivers safe on the road through its Driving Skills for Life program. Teens, parents, educators and driving schools can take advantage of free materials provided by Ford Motor Company to ensure new drivers are prepared to handle a variety of road conditions and situations.
A July 2002 study by Ford Motor Company found that young drivers (under the age of 18) were more likely to have poor judgment, poor vehicle control, and increased distractions when asked to complete eight tasks while driving ( in a driving simulator), and six of the eight tasks included cell phone use. Since mobile phones and handheld and hands-free electronic devices are very popular among teenagers, these were the areas that Ford focused on in his research on the effects of their use while driving. Also, most driver education programs do not offer this type of training or teach the skills to drive in various road conditions.
As a result of the study, Ford recommends reviewing driver education programs to strongly discourage cell phone use by teens across the country. Although several states have now enacted a law to prohibit the use of text messages or handheld cell phones by teens, many states have not. Traffic laws in Ohio have changed, especially in the Cleveland metropolitan area regarding the use of cell phones or texting while driving.
Visitors to the Ford Driving Skills for Life website will find a wealth of information online. All information is free to download for parents, teens, teachers, and driver education programs. Ford recognizes the need for parental involvement regarding the safety and driver training of their teens, which is why Ford has a special letter just for parents, “Lifetime Driving Skills Parent Letter.” , which comes in an easy-to-download PDF in the Educational Materials section at DrivingSkillsForLife.com.
Teens who actively take responsibility for completing the additional training suggested by Ford will likely “prevent more than 60 percent of teen car accidents,” according to DrivingSkillsForLife.com. Nearly 5,000 teens die from car crashes each year, according to data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, and they are also the leading cause of death among US teens involved in vehicular crashes.
Ford highlights four key driving skills including speed management, space management, hazard recognition and vehicle handling. Each component has several key skills to master as listed below.
speed management
Drive at a speed that does not endanger other drivers
How to recover from skids in front and rear wheel drive vehicles
Using the proper signals and covering the brake
space management
Maintain space around, in front of, and behind a vehicle
Learn to adjust the speed
Keep a safe distance between vehicles while driving
Learn how to avoid being rear-ended and avoid a head-on collision
Risk recognition
How to look for problems
Minimize distractions
security zones
Minimum lead time of vision
Approach and turn left at intersections
vehicle handling
How acceleration, deceleration, braking, and turning affect vehicle balance
Adapt to the size and weight of a vehicle
Conventional Braking Systems Versus Anti-Lock Braking Systems
Emergency braking techniques
Teen drivers will also find an interactive section on Ford’s Driving Skills for Life website that includes study modules, a quiz, car care videos, interactive driving games and eco-driving tips. Other opportunities for new drivers are “Ride and Drives”. Professional instructors provide invaluable information, experience and education on how to be successful in Ford’s core skill levels: speed management, space management, hazard recognition and vehicle handling. Learn more about the Driving Skills for Life safe driving program at DrivingSkillsForLife.com, where safety comes first for teens and all drivers.
