Getting a driver’s license is a right of passage for teenagers, but it’s a frightening time for parents. You send them to classes and try to teach them what they need to know, but there’s no way to sure they have they skills they need to be safe on the road. Ford’s Driving Skills for Life program aims to give teen drivers crucial skills they need to stay safe when they’re driving.
Unlike driver’s education classes, this program is a free, hands-on event taught by experienced race car drivers. Their instruction goes far beyond what kids learn in a classroom or with traditional teachers.
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Your teen will learn how to handle a spin out along with speed management and reaction time. They’ll also spend some of their learning time behind the wheel of a Ford Mustang to make the whole thing even more fun.
In addition to teaching skills, the program also gives teens first-hand experience with the perils of distracted driving. Participants drive a closed course while intentionally being distracted by numerous texts and their instructor to see how truly difficult it is to stay focused on the road when your mind is elsewhere.
Teens also get the chance to better understand the dangers of impaired driving. After donning a set of impairment glasses, they’ll be challenged to drive a simple course with cones clearly marking their path. We had the chance to try this out at a Driving Skills for Life program and even as an experienced driver it was an impossible task. Teens learn that although they think they might be in control, the reality is far different and not worth the risk.
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The Driving Skills for Life program is held throughout the country. It will be stopping in New England during the month of July.
- July 15-16: Brunswick Executive Airport, Brunswick, ME
- July 19-20: GlobalFoundries, Essex Junction, VT
- July 22-23: New Hampshire Motor Speedway, Loudon, NH
- July 26-27: Seekonk Speedway, Seekonk, MA
You can find out more and see the full schedule of events at Driving Skills for Life. If there’s not a program being offered in your area, you can also sign up to be notified as new dates are added to the schedule.
It’s a fun and educational experience for teen drivers and helps make them and all of us safer when we’re out on the road.
