The carmaker is promoting this initiative through its nationwide Ford Driving Skills for Life (FDSFL) program. The aforementioned special FDSFL event will take place, in fact, on the eve of the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Distracted Driving Summit.
These training methods are designed to help teens recognize and avoid driving distractions such as manually dialing a phone or texting. The initiative comes soon after Ford became the first automaker to endorse a federal ban on manually sending text messages on hand-held devices while driving.
“Adults treat distractions much differently because, with experience, they’ve come to understand that the driving environment can change quickly and dramatically while you’re looking away from the road,” said Jim Graham, community relations manager, Ford Motor Company Fund. “That’s why we believe it’s important to help teach these skills earlier before kids face this in the real world.”
“A growing number of drivers are using hand-held wireless communications and music-playing devices while driving,” said Dr. Louis Tijerina, Ford senior technical specialist. “Research clearly shows that manual operation of those devices that takes the driver’s eyes from the road for extended times creates the kind of distraction that causes accidents.”
“Our studies show that teens, particularly 16- and 17-year-olds, are much more willing to take risks while driving, such as manually dialing on a mobile phone in situations that demand greater attention,” said Jeff Greenberg, senior technical leader, Ford Research & Advanced Engineering.
Google News