Jamestown students among those taking part in Ford Driving Skills for Life program

The North Dakota Department of Transportation’s Safety Division applied to the Ford Motor Company and the Governor’s Highway Safety Association for a grant to bring one of the nation’s most comprehensive teen driver safety programs, Ford Driving Skills for Life, to North Dakota.

Nearly 65 teen drivers, ages 15 to 17, from across North Dakota including Fargo, Grand Forks, Glen Ulin, Jamestown, Minot and other towns participated in the event. The program provided participants an opportunity to be involved in multiple traffic safety activities such as:

* A ride and drive exercise conducted through the North Dakota Highway Patrol’s Emergency Vehicle Operator’s Course instructors. Participants had the opportunity to both ride and drive through an established driving course. The exercises targeted distracted and impaired driving.

* Interactive learning experiences with many different types of simulators including an ATV rollover simulator, drive square impaired driving simulator for in-vehicle driver training, a desktop virtual driving trainer, as well as a seat belt convincer. Also, a software program called, “Fatal Reflections,” was available that provided an opportunity for participants to consider the real ramifications of poor driving decisions.

Participants received a colored wristband with a safety message and the www.NDTeenDrivers.com website after completing activities. There were also photo opportunities with the North Dakota National Guard’s Black Hawk helicopter and the North Dakota Highway Patrol vehicle.

“Today these teen drivers were able to experience a variety of safety activities from this safety program. I hope these teens take with them the importance of practicing safe driving and encourage their family and friends to make smart decisions while behind the wheel as well,” said Mark Nelson, Safety Division director with the NDDOT.

The North Dakota Ford DSFL event was in partnership with the NDDOT, the North Dakota National Guard, the North Dakota Highway Patrol, the Safe Communities programs and Eide and Bill Barth Ford dealerships.

For more information on the program, visit www.drivingskillsforlife.com.

Tags: community, education, driving