Ford Driving Skills for Life (DSFL), the hands-on safety training course for new drivers, is coming to Indianapolis October 24. More than 120 local teens will have the opportunity to learn important safe driving tips not always taught in driver’s education, such as how to handle a vehicle on slippery pavement or react to a deer or other animal in their path.
Teens attending the Ford Driving Skills for Life (DSFL) event will also learn the dangers of impaired driving through the use of a special suit and goggles that mimic how being under the influence of alcohol or drugs slows movements, reduces coordination and blurs vision.
The free program is offered by Ford Motor Company Fund, in partnership with the Governors Highway Safety Association (GHSA) and the Indiana Criminal Justice Institute Traffic Safety Division. It will be held Saturday, October 24, at the Lucas Oil Raceway and consist of two half-day sessions. Each session will cover the full Ford DSFL curriculum of vehicle handling, hazard recognition, speed management and space management. Participants are asked to register for only one half-day session by visiting www.drivingskillsforlife.com.
“Our program is focused on providing young and inexperienced drivers with the training and tools they need to stay safe behind the wheel,” said Jim Graham, manager, Ford Driving Skills for Life. “We are excited to bring this program to Indianapolis as we look to provide an extra step in the learning process for new drivers.”
According to Indiana’s Traffic Safety Division, in 2014, there were 46 teen fatalities in the state.
“Teen Safety Week provides a great opportunity to promote the importance of Indiana’s young drivers staying safe behind the wheel,” said Indiana Criminal Justice Institute Director, Dave Murtaugh. “Even one life lost on our roadways is one too many, and I’m grateful for the enhanced driving skills our Indiana teens will develop through this event.”
Parent Participation
Parents are encouraged to participate with their teens at the safety training event because of the significant role they play in shaping their children’s driving habits. The curriculum is relevant to new and experienced drivers alike, offering hands-on ride and drive courses and classroom material focused on vehicle handling, hazard recognition, speed management and space management.
