Ford Initiate Driving Skills For Life(DSFL) Program In India | How To Improve Driving Skills

Ford India launched its Driving Skills for Life (DSFL) program in India. This program is run by Ford and was started in USA in the year 2003. This program aims at improving driving skills, safety and reduce road accidents. As part of its commitment to promote a better and safer driving community, Ford India is offering free training to promote safe, economic and eco-friendly driving across the sub-continent. Nigel Wark, executive director of marketing sales and service for Ford India quoted.

Ford has a long-term commitment to India.As we continue to produce and sell more cars in India, it is our obligation to do what we can to help improve road safety, fuel economy and cost of ownership. By following a few simple rules, drivers can make exponential improvements to safety and to the cost of driving. Anyone on the roads in India can attest to the fact that we all have room to improve.

As part of the initial phase, Ford has planned to induct its 5,500 India-based employees into the program. The Driving Skills For Life program will include theoretical classes and practical training sessions that will help in increasing awareness about safe driving.

Consider these staggering facts from the World Health Organization:

• India topped China as having the most per capita fatalities as a result of motor vehicle accidents
• In India, road fatalities have increased by 40% in five years
• 13 people die every hour on Indian roads and the International Road Federation estimated a total of 1,19,860 road fatalities in 2009
• Globally, more than 1000 children and young adults under the age of 25 years are killed in road traffic crashes every day
• Road traffic injuries are the leading cause of death for 10-24 year olds
• Most young people killed or injured in road crashes in low- and middle-income countries are pedestrians, cyclists, motorcyclists or users of public transport
• In high-income countries most young victims are novice drivers
• Correctly used seat-belts reduce the risk of death in the event of a crash by up to 61%

Ford Driving Skills For Life In India Details

Ford India began DSFL in 2009 and has trained more than 2,000 participants so far, including the Delhi Traffic Police, Chennai Traffic Police, Rotary Clubs and MCRT, college students, fleet owners and dealers.

In 2011, training started with dealers, consumers and driving groups in New Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore, Chennai and Chandigarh. Ford will have trained more than 1,500 additional people in 2011. Ford India is now reaching out to media groups to help spread the word.

Driving Skills for Life is offered free of charge to licensed drivers. The program, which has been customized to reflect driving and road conditions in India, mixes classroom learning and practical training in a vehicle.

To find out more about a DSFL event, you can visit any Ford dealership in New Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore, Chennai and Chandigarh.

DSFL includes a module on economical driving behavior. The key focal points of the training include awareness of road and traffic conditions, safe driving techniques and methods to drive more economically with reduced environmental impact.

The safe driving skills module focuses on the use of safety belts, recognizing and anticipating changing traffic conditions, avoiding distraction and maintaining a safe distance from other vehicles in traffic.

The final module covered in DSFL includes steps drivers can take in order to ensure more eco-friendly driving such as learning the environment-friendly driving practices, ensuring lesser CO2 emission and using other handy training tips.

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