Their teenager’s 1st time behind the wheel is a scary prospect for most parents, and for good reason. Auto accidents are not only the leading lead to of death for teenagers in the United States, but also worldwide. And in the U.S., drivers aged 16-19 are almost 3 times far more likely to be in a fatal crash than older drivers.


It stands to cause that teens face a lot more danger on the road (and larger auto insurance prices) than other drivers—after all, they have significantly less experience. But inexperience is not the only aspect. New hazards, such as distractions by smartphones or other technologies that may possibly not be covered in traditional drivers’ education courses also play a component. 


In response, Ford Motor Organization and the Governors Highway Security Administration launched in 2003 the Driving Capabilities for Life plan. By supplying a supplement to the coaching courses students take at school or privately, the program aims to teach teens to drive a lot more safely and decrease fatalities at residence and abroad. 


What are the fundamentals? 


Driving Abilities for Life is made up of each internet-primarily based and hands-on (“ride-and-drive”) education modules, and addresses concerns of inexperience and distraction that teen drivers encounter in the course of their early days on the road. The program’s manager, Jim Graham, describes it as “the subsequent step” soon after traditional driver’s ed: “Driver’s ed teaches basic rules of the road and skills like parallel parking. Driving Expertise for Life teaches advanced driving capabilities, numerous of which are defensive.”


Graham also thinks there’s an extra explanation, beyond basic chronology, for teens to sign up for DSFL soon after taking driver’s ed: “Research shows the majority of teen crashes take place right right after they get their licenses.” Ford hopes that continuing education can help reduce these numbers. The plan says it has educated 450,000 teens by way of the net-based curriculum and 30,000 in particular person. 


Who can participate? 


Driving Skills for Life is created for new drivers and their help systems. Whilst teens are the focus of DSFL, Ford and its partners recognize that they want assist from outside the plan to develop driving capabilities. The program’s internet site involves tips for educators who want to build protected driving into their curriculum. Graham notes that parents have an particularly important role to play, and not only when directing lessons in the passenger seat. “Parents are spending time with student drivers even right after the course is over, and they can be very good or bad function models.”


Of course, parents are integral in teaching their children safe driving, and DSFL’s web site has instructional components for them, also. But Graham suggests they take a far more active part by setting a excellent example and truly participating in the system with their teens. Parents can join in on the internet-based modules and at hands-on trainings. They’re also encouraged to sign a protected-driving pledge, promising not to use their telephone although driving, amongst other precautions.


“Learning to drive is a lifelong procedure,” Graham adds. “The very best race-car drivers in the planet nevertheless practice. You can always get much better.”


Due to the fact the majority of the system takes location on-line, drivers anyplace can sign up. Ford also arranges about 15 hands-on events in cities across the U.S. each and every year. Of course, not each participant can find a hassle-free occasion, but Graham says that on the web trainings cover all of the very same material, just in a distinct way. Households can check the program’s web site for much more data.


The Governors Highway Security Administration remains involved in the system, and makes it a lot more accessible to new drivers. The group’s communications director, Kara Macek, explains, “GHSA facilitates an annual grant program by which states can incorporate elements of the DSFL plan into their personal activities.” It also aids facilitate hands-on events and publicity.


Even drivers overseas can get involved. DSFL now provides in-individual events in 15 countries. “Basically, we appear at their requirements,” says Graham. “In some countries, we offer you a comparable program, advanced driver’s ed for young drivers. In other countries, exactly where older people might be acquiring their initial vehicles, we may possibly do far more simple material.”


Ultimately, cost is never ever a barrier. Thanks to the help of sponsors, the system is totally free. 


What does the program consist of? 


Driving Abilities for Life consists of 5 modules, addressing locations that Ford claims trigger 60% of automobile crashes. Each module includes net-primarily based curriculum and a quiz. If students are capable to attend, every single also has a hands-on component, which drivers can comprehensive throughout a 2-day session. Students practice their skills on a track with a group of peers and a trained instructor. Several instructors are former race-car drivers or stuntmen and stun2men. 


In the very first module, students understand to recognize hazards, such as left-hand turns and other achievable sources of trouble. They’ll also take into account automobile handling, as effectively as speed and space management. Possibly the most important—and scariest—element is the section on impaired and distracted driving. In the course of the ride-and-drive event, students are asked to navigate a course although wearing goggles that simulate a blood-alcohol level of .04, effectively beneath the limit for legal drinkers, but nonetheless very tough. “Students get a kick out of that a single,” Graham says, but rapidly adds, “It does have a severe message.” 


How has the system worked, and exactly where can it go from here? 


Although it is tough to measure the effectiveness of Driving Capabilities for Life in isolation, teen driving statistics are becoming much less grim. More than the last 10 years the quantity of teens dying in site visitors accidents has dropped by half. Correct, technological innovations, such as blind-spot recognition and lane control, have created vehicles safer, and DSFL is only one particular of numerous programs that encourage teens to make much better selections behind the wheel. But as driver’s education programs are increasingly pulled from schools, Graham believes it will be up to public/private partnerships like DSFL to prepare new drivers for the road.


Macek thinks Driving Capabilities for Life is up to the challenge: “Again and again, the plan receives accolades from each teens and parents.”


Nevertheless, to expertise continued accomplishment, DSFL has to stay on the cutting edge. Graham predicts that wearable technology, like Google Glass, might pose some of the program’s newest challenges in the coming years, as effectively as the rising legalization of marijuana.


Aside from its commitment to evolving with time, Graham credits the program’s positivity, along with its easy, direct spin on new material for its recognition. “We cannot control almost everything they do once they leave,” he says, “but if they pick up a couple of abilities from us, and it gets them out of a crash, that’s excellent.”


Teen driver image by way of Shutterstock.