In an effort to improve the driving skills of teenagers, Ford Motor Company has launched an interactive website where teens can practice their behind-the-wheel moves.
The Driving Skills for Life exercises help young drivers improve their abilities to recognizing driving hazards, handle cars, manage space while driving and manage vehicle speed.
The web address is www.drivingskillsforlife.com .
Car crashes are the number one killer of American teens, according data released in August by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).
The administration reports that a total of 5,699 teens between the ages of 16 and 20 died in car crashes in 2005.
In Michigan alone, there were 143 traffic deaths among drivers between the ages of 16 and 20 in 2005, NHTSA reports.
The Driving Skills for Life program began three years ago and is growing in popularity. It is designed for teens but helps parents out also, says Bill Jamieson, a spokesperson for the Ford Motor Company Fund, which co-sponsors the safe driving program with the Governor’s Highway Safety Association.
Students who successfully complete on-line safe driving quizzes, play safe driving games on the Internet and finish e-learning modules can enter to win prizes such as laptop computers, digital cameras, gift certificates and Ford die-cast vehicles.
“It leaves you with the peace of mind knowing your child is driving safely,” Jamieson says. “In the end, it’s a win, win situation all around for all.”
While working on driving habits over the website, teens are provided with hints and clues for saving on gasoline expenses, as well. The Internet program awards points for tasks well done and deducts points for late reactions, speeding and exiting too soon.
Jamieson says the program’s real success is that teens can log in from whereever they are. “It’s attractive to teens because a computer is involved,” according to Jamieson, who says that parents will be grateful for the outcome.
Along with an interactive website, there will be a hands-on driving camp in Romeo, Michigan, in August for four days, Jamieson says. At the camp, students are trained in the classroom as well as on the road.
Jamieson adds that some car insurance companies provide car insurance discounts for those who successfully complete the driving safety program.
For more information, log in at www.drivingskillsforlife.com.