Ford Driving Skills for Life
AUTOMOBILES
· More than 550,000 new drivers globally have utilized DSFL’s online and professional hands-on driver instruction ·
In India, more than
3000 people across key cities were trained through the program, in
2012
Thousands More New
Drivers around the World to Learn Safe Driving Skills from Ford Driving Skills
for Life in 2013
·
Ford Driving Skills
for Life (DSFL) kicks off the tenth year of teaching new drivers safe driving
skills, and the sixth year in Asia
· More than 550,000 new drivers globally have utilized DSFL’s online and professional hands-on driver instruction
New
Delhi, Mar 11,
2013 – For the tenth year,
new drivers around the world will get an opportunity to improve their skills
through the Ford Driving Skills for Life (DSFL) program. Ford DSFL works to reduce the number of traffic fatalities
and injuries by teaching new drivers the
skills needed to bring the experience gap.
“Inexperience is the
leading cause of crashes in new drivers, and Ford Driving Skills for Life
includes a variety of engaging and targeted methods to deliver key skill sets
that boost their confidence and knowledge,” said Jim Vella, president, Ford
Motor Company Fund and Community Services. “Our mission is to make the roads
safer for everyone.”
In Asia, Ford DSFL
now is in its sixth year training newly licensed drivers in Asia with programs
in mainland China, India, Indonesia, Taiwan,
Thailand, Vietnam, the Philippines and South Africa. About 13,500 drivers were
trained last year and another 14,000 will be trained this year. More than
63,000 people have been trained since the program began there.
Local
driving environment and the needs of drivers are addressed during the training
in each Asian market. For example, in China DSFL added a segment on the use of
child safety seats after a new regulation went into effect there, and sessions
tailored for female drivers were added in several countries including Thailand
and Indonesia. In Vietnam, Ford DSFL launched a No Honking campaign to reduce
the adverse effects on road safety of the prevalent and inappropriate use of
vehicle horns.
In
India and China, Ford launched the “I Pledge” campaign, wherein the online
community was invited to take a pledge on safe driving and undertake the DSFL
training. This online campaign will expand into more countries in 2013.Ford
India also unveiled First Gear, a must-have handbook for the first-time car
buyer, which incorporates handy tips on how to choose your car and how to become
a safe driver. Ford is
bringing DSFL to the Middle East this month. In partnership with the United Arab
Emirates Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research and the Road and
Transport Authority, Ford DSFL will visit three universities with professional
instructors who will demonstrate safe driving practices using specially equipped
Ford vehicles.
In the U.S., traffic
fatalities are the leading killer of teens, according to Centers for Disease
Control and Prevention. Ford DSFL will reach students in about 200 high schools
this year with its safe driving materials, thanks to Ford Motor Company Fund and
the Governors Highway Safety Association (GHSA). GHSA calls Ford Driving Skills
for Life the most comprehensive teen safe driving program in the U.S. with
hands-on community driving events, Web-based learning, government grants, fun
contests and free educational materials for parents and
teachers.
In 2013 Ford DSFL is
launching an enhanced version of the interactive Web-based training called “The
Academy” on its website www.drivingskillsforlife.com – which will be
redesigned during the first half of the year. Expanded use of social media and interactive web-based
tools also is underway in the Asia Pacific region. Other free materials
are available upon request for students, educators, parents and community
organizations.
Comments
Post a Comment