Ford Philippines today is kicking off the 15th year of Ford Driving Skills For Life (DSFL) in the country, marking a significant milestone in its advocacy for road and vehicle safety.
DSFL is a globally-recognized safe driving program that reinforces Ford’s commitment to promoting driver and passenger safety that combines a comprehensive training module and hands-on driving exercises for the participants. In the Philippines, the DSFL has trained over 33,000 driver participants over the last fifteen years.
Photo: Ford Driving Skills For Life
This year’s theme centers around ‘Driving Smart. Protecting Lives. Building Safer Roads’, which captures the very essence of the DSFL and its aim in educating drivers on the importance of road safety through up-to-date, safe driving tips and techniques and practical hands-on driving.
New driving modules for this year include driving on different terrains, driving at night, during floods and rainy weather, driving with children, and road sharing with cyclists, motorcycle drivers, and pedestrians.
The increase in motorcycles and bicycles plying the roads has further underscored the importance of road-sharing practices for drivers. One of DSFL’s new modules equips participants with knowledge of the overall driving dynamics needed to ensure safer journeys.
The DSFL will also continue to cover key topics relevant to drivers, such as basic vehicle dynamics, safe driving technologies, anti-distracted driving techniques, fuel-efficient driving, and new road rules and regulations.
Photo: Ford Driving Skills For Life
Aiding these lectures is a hands-on practical driving session which will include exercises on parking, braking, anti-distracted driving, and fuel-efficient driving.
“We are excited to launch this year’s edition of the DSFL and introduce new modules that aim to upskill drivers with smart and safe driving tips and techniques that they can apply every day,” shares EJ Francisco, Communications Director, Ford Philippines, and Asia Pacific Distributor Markets. “The last fifteen years have been monumental for DSFL in the Philippines with the scale and impact it has achieved in promoting driver and road safety in the country. We thank our partners and participants for their support and collaboration, and we celebrate this milestone with them.”
Photo: Ford Driving Skills For Life
For over a decade, the program has also worked with various local government agencies, private companies, Ford car clubs, and public transportation groups and providers. In 2022, over 3,200 public and private drivers participated in DSFL sessions–both virtual and in person.
Driving Skills for Life was established in the United States in 2003 by the 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 is conducted by long-time partner and training facilitator Tuason Racing School.
The launch of DSFL in the Philippines officially culminates the Ford Global Month of Caring, celebrated every September by Ford employees and volunteers all over the world.
