In-person driver education returns to 14th Ford Driving Skills For Life

MANILA: As part of the organization's Global Caring Month, which is observed every September, Ford Philippines yesterday introduced the 14th iteration of the widely acclaimed Driving Skills for Life (DSFL) program. DSFL also reiterates Ford's long-standing commitment to vehicle and road safety.

This year’s DSFL will mark the return of in-person training sessions and hands-on driving exercises. Aside from face-to-face classes, the DSFL will also be available as a fully online training program and a combination of in-person and virtual training sessions for selected audiences.

With the theme ‘Learning Safe and Fuel-Efficient Driving In The New Normal’, the 14th DSFL covers key topics on basic vehicle dynamics, pandemic driving precautions and car maintenance, driving in various conditions, safe driving technologies, anti-distracted driving, fuel-efficient driving, and a brief refresher on the Non-Contact Apprehension Policy and new road rules and regulations.

Meanwhile, the hands-on driving session will include exercises on parking, braking, anti-distracted driving, and fuel-efficient driving.

“We culminate our Global Caring Month celebration in the Philippines this year with the launch of the DSFL, and we’re excited to finally be able to conduct the DSFL as an in-person training program complemented by fully virtual sessions and hybrid face-to-face and virtual sessions to reach more drivers nationwide,” shared EJ Francisco, Communications Director, Ford Philippines.

“Each year, we innovate and find ways to enrich the DSFL experience by making it a training program that is relevant to the times and needs of our audience.”

The DSFL has successfully trained close to 30,000 drivers since it was launched in the country in 2008. Over the years, the program has made itself relevant with the changing road conditions, policies, and government regulations. In 2021, over 1,600 public and private drivers participated in more than 20 virtual DSFL sessions conducted on Zoom.

The DSFL has been a consistent recipient of awards in the country. Early this year, it bagged a Gold Award in the road safety category of the 5th Driven to Serve Awards of the Society of Philippine Motoring Journalists (SPMJ).

Driving Skills for Life was established in the United States in 2003 by Ford Motor Company Fund, the U.S. Governors Highway Safety Association, and a panel of safety experts, to teach newly licensed drivers the necessary skills for safe driving beyond what is learned in standard driver education programs.

In the Philippines, the DSFL has been conducted by long-time partner and training facilitator Tuason Racing School since 2008.

A number of virtual DSFL sessions will be open to the public to register and participate. Visit the Ford Philippines’ Facebook page for more updates.

Recently, Ford celebrated its 25th year anniversary. In 2012, Ford Philippines changed its structure to become a national sales and distribution subsidiary, which now manages all sales, service, and marketing initiatives for Ford automobiles in the nation.

In the Philippines, Ford has sold close to 400,000 cars over the past 25 years, including the Club Wagon, EcoSport, Escape, Everest, Expedition, Explorer, Explorer Sport Trac, F150, Lynx, Mustang, Ranger, Territory, Lincoln Town Car, and Transit.

Ford has also been cited for its corporate social responsibility programs such as Driving Skills for Life (DSFL), Operation Better World, COVID-19 Relief Program, and Automotive Technician Scholarship Program.

Photos from Ford Philippines

Also read: 400k units sold, various programs mark Ford's 25 years in the Philippines