Ford Motor Company Fund’s signature safe driving program
2003
Ford becomes first vehicle manufacturer to introduce free, advanced driver training for newly licensed drivers as a comprehensive, hands-on Ford Driving Skills for Life program launches in Dearborn in partnership with Governors Highway Safety Association
2004
With a hands-on driving event in Miami, the program branches out
2005
Reach expands again with ride-and-drives in Washington, D.C., San Antonio and Irvine, California
Free educator kits distributed to schools and community groups across the United States
Program hosts teen event, “The Scene,” at 12 shopping malls in major markets across the United States
2006
“Operation Teen Safe Driving” launches in Tazewell County in Illinois, where 15 teens had died in car crashes over a 15-month period. Ford Driving Skills for Life is involved to teach safe driving practices to students
2007
Ford Driving Skills for Life and Governors Highway Safety Association begin grant initiative for states to support teen driving programs
Program launches online driver training
2008
With training in Indonesia, Thailand, Vietnam and the Philippines, the program goes international
2009
Global expansion advances to China and India
2010
Ford Driving Skills for Life hosts driver training at World Leadership Conference in Atlanta and Distraction Summit in Washington, D.C.
Program launches in South Africa
2011
Ford Driving Skills for Life embarks on a 30-city, 15-state U.S. tour
Program’s “Strive for a Safer Drive” invites more than 300 high schools in Michigan to take part in a potentially life-saving initiative aimed at making students safer drivers
Ford Driving Skills for Life partners with Usher’s New Look Foundation to host national song contest; five teens win $25,000 for creating a song focused on distracted driving
2012
TV’s “The Price Is Right” welcomes teens ages 15-18 and their parents to be contestants to highlight safe driving. Winner gets a Ford Driving Skills for Life event at his or her high school
“Ford Driving Skills for Life Experience” video game created in partnership with Michigan State University to capture the attention of young people and help keep them safe behind the wheel
Tour stops added in Vancouver, British Columbia in Canada and San Juan, Puerto Rico
2013
Ford Driving Skills for Life launches in Europe with tours in France, Germany, Italy, Spain and the United Kingdom
2014
Program launches rebuilt website with enhanced social media content, stronger parent section, updated online academy learning, and downloadable resources for teachers and parents
Weekend programs scheduled to provide more opportunities for parents to participate
Belgium, Russia and Romania come on board in program’s Europe expansion
Ford Driving Skills for Life holds a seminar on drugged driving in Columbus, Ohio
2015
Ford Driving Skills for Life marks another big milestone of hosting free, hands-on training in all 50 states
Tour launches in Australia
Ford Driving Skills for Life unveils a drunk driving suit
2016
Program surpasses 1 million drivers trained
Ford Driving Skills for Life debuts drugged driving and hangover suits
With a campaign in Argentina, initiative expands to South America
2017
Ford Driving Skills for Life returns to Tazewell County in Illinois 11 years on, where traffic deaths among young people have fallen by more than 50 percent since launch of “Operation Teen Safe Driving”
More than 32,000 students across the United States take part in a first-ever virtual assembly tour to learn about the dangers of impaired and distracted driving
2018
Ford and Jeddah-based Effat University complete the inaugural session of Ford Driving Skills for Life for Her – a specially designed program for women seeking their first driver’s license in Saudi Arabia
Bicycle safety program debuts in Europe in partnership with Team Sky
In recognition of its 15th anniversary, Ford Driving Skills for Life honors six dedicated safety advocates from across the United States as Unsung Heroes of Highway Safety