Weary Parent: Parenting Tweens & Teens

Ford’s Driving Skills For Life

by Christine on May 14th, 2008

This weekend Ford flew my oldest and I to Chicago for the Driving Skills for Life event. Driving Skills for life was established in 2003 and is the most comprehensive teen driver safety program. The program provides web-based materials, comprehensive curriculum, and hands-on vehicle safety instruction for teenagers, parents and educators. It differs from other driving programs in that they work with communities for months prior to the driving event to inspire teens to promote safety with their peers. The two month contest in Chicago challenged area high schools to develop the best and most comprehensive safe driving community campaign. Each school was given a $3000 budget to conduct their program, with additional prizes to the first, second and third place schools.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, auto accidents are the leading cause of death for young people ages 15 to 20. Teen drivers, mile to mile, are in three times as many fatal crashes as all other drivers. And nearly 7,000 teens die annually in traffic crashes. This program has helped reduce teen fatalities dramatically in Tazewell County, IL. So it works to keep our teens safe.

On Monday we were chauffeured to the US Cellular stadium to participate in the driving event with a local school who came in third in the contest. There we met up with professional drivers who helped us improve our driving skills in hazard recognition, vehicle handling, speed management and space management. Ford research shows these four areas are the cause of more than 60 percent of teen traffic accidents.

We started at the hazard recognition station. We began at one end of the track. Near the middle of the track it branched out in to three lanes. There were three stop lights at the end of the track. You were supposed to get the car up to around 30 mph and when you got to where it branched, two of the lights turned red and you had to quickly turn to go down the green lane. It sounds easier than it was. My oldest was nervous and didn’t want to do it so I went first. I took out two cones on my first try. I’m pretty sure I took out more cones than any of the students did. After that my oldest was ready to give it a try. I’d like to say I took out the cones just to make him feel better, but really I just suck at hazard recognition. I hope no small children or animals run out in front of me. Although the professional driver did tell me I did a great job of keeping control of the car. A lot of the students fish tailed, but I didn’t. So I may run over squirrels, but at least I’ll have control of the car. BTW, my oldest did great and didn’t hit any cones. Or fish tail.

Then we moved on to speed and space management. There we drove around a circular track, navigating the curves at different speeds. Our first test was to try to change the radio station or set the GPS while driving. It showed how distractions really slow you down. He also taught us to take the curves wide. On one part of the track there was a sign that said, “To the right.” After my second run they turned the sign around and I was supposed to go to the left. But I didn’t even notice and still went to the right like I had the first two times. Clearly I should not be on the roads. I take out cones. I turn the wrong way. I’m a mad woman. And once again, my oldest did great on this course. I’m starting to think maybe he needs to give me lessons instead of the other way around.

The final test was about skidding. We were running late so I let my oldest go skidding without me. He got to drive a Ford Mustang for this one. He was very excited. And he learned how to control the car when you go in to a skid.

We had so much fun at this event. My son was so thrilled to be a part of it and he really learned a lot. This is a wonderful program to help our teens learn defensive skills on the roads and to keep them safe. Check out their website at http://www.drivingskillsforlife.com for training for your teen and to become eligible for prizes. On the website parents can gain valuable knowledge to guide their teens and educators can download materials for lesson plans. Surprising, parents are three times more likely to talk to their teens about drugs and alcohol than safe driving. Talk to your teens about driving to keep them safe.

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POSTED IN: Driving