Ford teaching program aims to create safer drivers

JACKSON, Tenn. — The ‘Ford Driving Skills for Life’ program is here for the weekend, teaching young drivers how to handle sticky situations while they’re behind the wheel.

This weekend at the Ballpark at Jackson, thanks to the Ford Philanthropy and the Governor’s Highway Safety Association, teenage drivers with a valid permit or license can take part in the Ford Driving Skills for Life program.

“They did a bunch of research to see where teens struggle in driving because we know that teens are disproportionately responsible for traffic fatalities,” said Mike Speck, operations manager for Ford DSLF.

At the program, students will have the chance to get behind the wheel of the program’s ford mustangs and learn how to control their cars in dangerous situations.
Instructors will be in the vehicle with drivers as they learn how to save a sliding car, drive defensively, and recognize risks while behind the wheel.

Mike speck, the program’s operations manager tells us how the program looks to improve younger drivers’ skills behind the wheel.

“Teens tend to struggle in areas like management of speed and management of space. They tend to kind of struggle with the ability to recognize hazards. They might see them, they might not understand exactly how to react to them,” said Speck.

Rain may be in the forecast for Jackson Saturday, but that just makes this class even more worthwhile as hydroplaning can cause cars to begin to slide, which is one of the targets of the program.

There will be three different sessions both Saturday and Sunday at 8 a.m., 11 a.m., and 3 p.m. and plenty of spots are available. To register, click here.

For more news in the Jackson area, click here.