Ford Fund Returns to Puerto Rico with Driving Skills for Life Program that Teaches Teens How to Become Safer Drivers
- More than 300 students, ages 16 – 19, will participate in the award-winning Ford Driving Skills for Life program, learning hands-on skills that could save their lives on the road
- Ford Driving Skills for Life is part of Operation Better World through which Ford has invested more than $3 million in community-building programs and recovery efforts in Puerto Rico since 2012
CAROLINA, Puerto Rico, March 6, 2019 – Ford Motor Company Fund returned to Puerto Rico with its award-winning Driving Skills for Life program, as part of the company’s ongoing commitment to the island. This is the second time that Ford brings its free Driving Skills for Life program to Puerto Rico to help teens learn safe driving skills beyond what they learn in standard driver education programs.
According to statistics from the 2017 Traffic Safety Commission, reckless driver behavior remains a major contributing factor in fatal crashes in Puerto Rico, with most of the fatalities being among those ages 16 - 24.
More than 300 students from public and private schools across the island are participating in the two-day event that offers hands-on, driver-safety training led by professional driving instructors. Training includes vehicle handling, hazard recognition, impaired driving simulation exercises and other training elements.
Students, teachers and parents attending the activities also will have the opportunity to tour the Mobile Science Lab (Ciencia Móvil) vehicle, donated by Ford to Centros Sor Isolina Ferré and the Proyecto Nacer ‘On the Go’ Clinic – two initiatives that are part of Ford’s ongoing recovery efforts on the island. Students participated in a four-station workshop in the Mobile Science Lab to showcase the activities available to schools in various communities by the traveling science lab.
Driving Skills for Life is part of Ford Fund’s commitment to building stronger communities and helping make people’s lives better in Puerto Rico. Since 2012, Ford and Ford Fund have invested more than $3 million in community-building programs through its Operation Better World initiative, including disaster relief and recovery efforts as well as educational initiatives such as Ford Driving Dreams and Latin GRAMMY® In The Schools.
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About Ford Motor Company
Ford Motor Company is a global company based in Dearborn, Michigan. The company designs, manufactures, markets and services a full line of Ford cars, trucks, SUVs, electrified vehicles and Lincoln luxury vehicles, provides financial services through Ford Motor Credit Company and is pursuing leadership positions in electrification, autonomous vehicles and mobility solutions. Ford employs approximately 199,000 people worldwide. For more information regarding Ford, its products and Ford Motor Credit Company, please visit www.corporate.ford.com.
About Ford Motor Company Fund
As the philanthropic arm of Ford Motor Company, Ford Fund’s mission is to strengthen communities and help make people’s lives better. Working with dealers and nonprofit partners in 63 countries, Ford Fund provides access to opportunities and resources that help people reach their full potential. Since 1949, Ford Fund has invested more than $2 billion in programs that support education, promote safe driving, enrich community life and encourage employee volunteering. For more information, visit http://community.ford.com or join us at @FordFund on Facebook and Twitter.