Ford and GHSA Bring Driving Skills for Life Program to Tucson for Third Consecutive Year

Program to teach more than 400 teens hands-on safety training to address key teen crash problems

TUCSON, Ariz., Nov. 5, 2010 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The following is being released by the Governors Highway Safety Association:

• More than 400 Tucson area teens will be participating in the Ford Driving Skills for Life Ride and Drive hands-on driving safety event.  Program is one of the only in the nation with a comprehensive series of exercises that allow teens to learn firsthand about driving hazards from a professional driver.
• Teens learn skills in the four key areas that contribute to over 60 percent of all teen crashes: distracted driving/hazard recognition, vehicle handling, space management and speed control.
• Enrollment is open, and parents are also encouraged to participate. Registration is available under the "News and Events" section at www.drivingskillsforlife.com.
• Traffic crashes are the leading cause of death for persons ages 15 to 20.

Ford Motor Company Fund is bringing its Ford Driving Skills for Life (Ford DSFL) Ride and Drive teen safe driving event to more than 400 Tucson-area teen drivers November 6-7, 2010.  Because of the program's popular demand, Ford is returning this renowned program to Arizona for the third consecutive year. This opportunity is thanks to a partnership between the Ford Motor Company Fund, Governors Highway Safety Association, Arizona Ford Dealers, the Tucson Police Department, and the Arizona Governor's Office of Highway Safety.

During the FREE Ford DSFL program, teen drivers will learn advanced safe-driving skills from some of the nation's top professional driving instructors in hands-on driving modules. The course will take teens through the dangerous realities of reckless driving, speeding, maneuvering around obstacles in the road, skid control, recovery and in-car hazards.  This specially equipped course and vehicles will let the teen drivers experience the worst the road has to offer in a controlled and safe environment.

Enrollment is open to teens with a valid drivers licenses or learners permit, and parents are encouraged to participate. Registration is available at www.drivingskillsforlife.com under the "News and Events" section.

"We are pleased to be returning to Tucson with this life-saving program and will be providing hands-on training to increase teen's knowledge and abilities behind the wheel. We appreciate all the partners that are involved in this effort, all greatly contribute to teen driver safety," said Jim Graham, Community Relations Manager for the Ford Fund. "Ford Driving Skills for Life has a proven track record in helping to combat the alarming number of teen crashes and fatalities throughout the United States and we look forward to visiting Tucson again."

Unsafe teen driving is a serious problem in Arizona.  Last year alone, 3,290 Arizona teen drivers between the ages of 15 and 19 were injured in an auto collision, and 31 of those teens lost their lives. Interestingly, while teens ages 16 to 19 only make up 4 percent of licensed drivers in the state, they were responsible for 10 percent of all collisions.

About Ford Driving Skills for Life

Ford Driving Skills for Life was created in 2003 in partnership with the Governors Highway Safety Association.  It is one of the nation's most comprehensive teen driver safety programs.  In addition to hands-on events such as the event being held in Chandler, it consists of learning tools on an interactive Web site (www.drivingskillsforlife.com) that includes a learning module, quizzes, car care videos, driving tip videos, interactive games and an enhanced eco-driving curriculum. Free educator packets are available for students and parents, as well as teachers and community programs.   Additionally, individual programs can be created to meet the specific needs of communities and schools.

About Ford Motor Company and Community Services:

Established in 1949, and made possible by funding from Ford Motor Company, the Ford Motor Company Fund strengthens communities with programs that foster innovative education, driving, and quality of life in our communities.  National programs include Ford Partnership for Advanced Studies, which provides high school students with academically rigorous 21st century learning experiences, and Ford Driving Skills for Life - a teen-focused auto safety initiative.  The Ford Volunteer Corps, established in 2005, continues Ford's legacy of caring worldwide.  Through the Volunteer Corps, Ford employees and retirees participate in a wide range of volunteer projects in their communities. For more information on programs made possible by the Ford Motor Company Fund and Community Services, visit www.community.ford.com.

About the Arizona Governor's Office of Highway Safety

The Arizona Governor's Office of Highway Safety (GOHS) is the focal point for highway safety issues in Arizona. GOHS is a cabinet agency that provides leadership by developing, promoting, and coordinating programs; influencing public and private policy; and increasing public awareness of highway safety.

About the Governors Highway Safety Association

The Governors Highway Safety Association (GHSA) is a nonprofit association representing the highway safety offices of states, territories, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and the Indian Nation.  GHSA provides leadership and representation for the states and territories to improve traffic safety, influence national policy and enhance program management.  Its members are appointed by their governors to administer federal and state highway safety funds and implement state highway safety plans.  Contact GHSA at 202-789-0942 or visit www.ghsa.org.

SOURCE Governors Highway Safety Association