"Driving Skills For Life"

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A Teen Driver Safety Program

Inexperienced teen drivers are at a heightened risk of having an accident. One day after receiving his driver's license, a 16-year-old Lodi boy rolled his Ford Explorer when he lost control, while speeding, and crossed over the double yellow line. Officer Steve Bailey of the Tracy Police department indicated that the fact that the teen was not only an inexperienced driver, but that the teen was inexperienced in handling such a large vehicle contributed to the accident.

Ford Motor Company and the Governor's Highway Safety Association had this teen driver's situation in mind over four years ago when they partnered to create their important and innovative teen safety program "Driving Skills for Life", which will take place this year in Sacramento, California January 31st and February 1st.

The program is geared toward newly licensed drivers and is intended to help them develop safe driving skills beyond what they might have learned in driver's education. This program is intended to support the state graduated licensing laws , by encouraging parents to take a more pro-active role in teaching their child the safety rules of the road. Teen drivers are able to actually get behind the wheel of a car, complete with simulated graphics and lots of sound to keep them interested and involved. The web-based program included a 25-minute education program followed by some driving games that allow the teen to accumulate points toward an mp3 player; free music downloads; and even a new computer. No wonder the program attracted over 9.5 million to participate in its website www.drivingskillsforlife.com last year alone.