ROYAL OAK – The leading cause of death for teenagers in the U.S. is vehicle crashes – and has been for decades. To change this narrative, Ford Motor Company Fund and the Governors Highway Safety Association developed Ford Driving Skills for Life (Ford DSFL).

In its 15th year, Ford DSFL provides behind-the-wheel, online, classroom and virtual training to new drivers in 40 countries around the world. The key focus areas of the training is around the inexperience of new drivers as well as key skills in vehicle handling, hazard recognition, speed and space management along with special programming for impaired and distracted driving.

Over the history of the program, technologies and learning styles have changed and the Ford DSFL program has adapted quickly to those changes. Online curriculum, virtual assembly programs, virtual reality and simulations have become integral in reaching young drivers.

The Ford DSFL Academy uses videos and interactive lessons to teach driving and decision-making skills – www.drivingskillsforlife.com/academy

Virtual reality allows Ford DSFL to put drivers in situations that could not be safely demonstrated on a behind-the-wheel course. Areas of focus are:

  • Navigating traffic circles / roundabouts
  • Driving around large trucks
  • On-road/off-road recovery
  • Distracted and impaired driving

To learn more about how Ford Driving Skills for Life is training young drivers, click on https://mitechnews.com/internet-of-things/ford-driving-skills-life-combines-vr-simulation-train-teen-drivers/

Kyle Green
Ford Motor Company Fund  – Ford Driving Skills for Life