The Ford Driving Skills for Life – a free course designed to improve teenage driving skills – comes to Emerald Downs Aug. 18-19.
“It’s a great opportunity for teenagers in the community,” said Way Scarff, of Auburn’s Scarff Ford, who will be on hand for the event. “It’s the only program of its kind to be coming to the Northwest. It’s a unique opportunity.”
Instruction will be held in the Downs parking lot area from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. daily. Separate sessions run from 8 a.m. to noon, and again from 12:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. Students can attend one of the four sessions.
Teens will drive specially equipped vehicles on closed road courses under the supervision of professional instructors, improving their skills in the four key areas that contribute to more than 60 percent of teen crashes and fatalities: hazard recognition (distractions), vehicle handling and speed/space management.
The specially equipped course and vehicles allow teen drivers to experience potentially threatening situations in a controlled, safe environment.
The event is open to more than 400 teens ages 15 -19 in the Seattle- Tacoma area who have a valid driver’s license or learner’s permit. Parents and educators are encouraged to participate as well.
The training is put on by the Ford Motor Company Fund, Washington Traffic Safety Commission, and Governors Highway Safety Association.
Register online at www.drivingskillsforlife.com. Space is limited. Breakfast and lunch will be provided.
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EVENT AT A GLANCE
• What: Ford Driving Skills for Life Ride and Drive, a comprehensive series of exercises that allow teens to learn firsthand about driving hazards from a professional driver
• Where: Emerald Downs, 2300 Emerald Downs Drive, Auburn
• When: Aug. 18-19. Daily session 1: 8 a.m. to noon; session 2: 12:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. Students attend one of the four sessions.
• Program: Vehicle crashes are the number one killer of teenagers, claiming nearly 6,000 lives in the United States each year. Crash rates are highest during a teen’s first few hundred miles on the road. Between 2004 and 2008, 353 teens (age 13-19) died in crashes on WA roads and 369 fatal crashes involved a teen driver (age 13-19), according to the Washington Traffic Safety Commission.
Ford Motor Company Fund, Governors Highway Safety Association and a panel of safety experts developed Ford Driving Skills for Life to address this issue. The comprehensive program focuses on teaching skills necessary for safe driving and often not fully understood by new drivers.
• Register: This is a free program. Register online at www.drivingskillsforlife.com. Space is limited. Breakfast and lunch will be provided.
• Supporters: The Washington Ford Driving Skills for Life program is the result of a partnership between Ford Motor Company Fund, Governors Highway Safety Association, and the Washington Traffic Safety Commission.
