Teens Can Turn To Web For Tips To Become Better Drivers; Moms And Dads Can Learn Something Too

Teens Can Turn To Web For Tips To Become Better Drivers; Moms And Dads Can Learn Something Too

In this season when many teens are concentrating on proms or graduation, parents are more likely to focus on keeping their teenagers safe on the road. They have reason to worry: During a typical prom weekend, nearly 300 teens die in alcohol-related crashes, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). NHTSA also reports that one in five 16-year-old drivers experiences a collision in their first year of driving, and nearly 7,000 teens die annually in automobile crashes in the United States.

This year, Ford Motor Company is working to help teens become better drivers by turning to the Web. Ford is now offering safe driving tips in video format on popular Web sites like www.youtube.com, www.carfax.com, in addition to Ford’s interactive teen safe driving Web site, www.drivingskillsforlife.com. New tips will be posted each week through early June.

The short video spots provide a variety of driving tips to both teens and adults, and feature professional instructors from Ford’s Driving Skills for Life “ride-and-drive” events. They teach teens what to do if passenger-side wheels leave the roadway, how to recover in a skid, how to sit properly for safe driving, how to aggressively brake safely, how to anticipate danger, and when it’s important to slow down.

“We’re turning to the Web because that’s where teens live, and where they get much of their information,” said Sue Cischke, vice president, Sustainability, Environment and Safety Engineering, Ford Motor Company. “We want the video spots to get teens thinking about safe driving, and we think the tips can be valuable for adults, as well.”

Cischke said that the best way for teens to learn safe driving is to get behind the wheel with an experienced driver – a driving instructor or parent – who can share their knowledge first hand. “The best thing both teens and adults can do to remain safe is to buckle up, and avoid alcohol while driving. Research into driving related injuries and fatalities clearly demonstrates that,” Cischke said. “We’re proud that our safe driving program has helped many teens return home safely, and we want to spread our safe driving message any way we can.”

Read the complete Press Release