Ford’s focus on driver safety

Ford is back with its free Driving Skills for Life event for young people in London this November.

Now in its third year, Ford’s DSFL event will take place at the Excel Exhibition Centre from November 20-22 ahead of National Road Safety Week.

Ford Driving Skills for Life puts young drivers (aged 18-24) behind the wheel with free-of-charge, hands-on training that covers hazard recognition, vehicle handling, plus speed and space management, and distraction awareness.

The programme also highlights the risks of distractions such as texting and taking selfies at the wheel, and a special ‘drink-drive’ suit demonstrates the dangers of alcohol and driving.

Ford has teamed up with safety organisations including the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA), Brake and AA Drive Tech for DSFL.

“Our Driving Skills for Life programme has been running in the UK for three years now – we’re proud that it helps young drivers gain experience behind the wheel in a safe and fun environment and demonstrates the dangers of things such as inappropriate mobile phone use and drink-driving,” said Andy Barratt, Chairman and Managing Director, Ford of Britain.

“Ford recognises that young drivers are statistically more at risk than any other group and our global DSFL programme aims to help address this.”

Car crashes are the leading cause of death for young people in the 18 – 24 age group, according to Ford research.

Each training session addresses the most common factors in young driver crashes, showing young drivers how they might recover from a slide, emergency braking techniques, and how to scan the road ahead for trouble. Those taking part can also experience, in a slow-speed, closed environment, the effects of using a mobile phone.

Former Top Gear “Stig” and racing driver Ben Collins said: “The Ford DSFL programme is awesome. Those first few years on the road are extremely formative so it’s a great time to soak up more information.

“Ford’s training has lots of fun activities around driving better and more safely. It’s vital stuff that could significantly reduce your chances of crashing, so it’s well worth doing.”

For further details about Ford’s Driving Skills for Life in the UK and to register for a free place, go to forddsfl.co.uk