Wednesday, February 03, 2016

Automotive Corporate Social Responsibility: Ford Expands ‘Driving Skills for Life’ Programme to More Students

DSFL Participants from Taylor’s University

Ford Motor Company has continued its efforts to raise road safety awareness in Malaysia through its global Driving Skills for Life (DSFL) programme, expanding the programme to two more higher education institutions – German Malaysian Institute and Taylor’s University.



The free-of-charge DSFL workshops held in last January were specially tailored to address challenges faced by young drivers, such as inexperience in dealing with unexpected situations, distracted driving, and the importance of ensuring child seats are securely fastened. This isn't about trying to not hit any cones you know.

The tips are especially timely as many students prepare to drive home for the Chinese New Year holidays. I do hope these students can also pass on what they have learnt to members of their family so that more people would be aware of actual road safety. Malaysia needs it desperately as we see drivers blatantly ignoring road safety and road signs.



PRESS RELEASE
Ford Expands ‘Driving Skills for Life’ Programme to More Students Ahead of Chinese New Year Celebrations



KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia, Feb. 3, 2016 – Ford Motor Company has continued its efforts

to raise road safety awareness in Malaysia through its global Driving Skills for Life (DSFL)

programme, expanding the programme to two more higher education institutions – German

Malaysian Institute and Taylor’s University.

The free-of-charge DSFL workshops held in January were specially tailored to address

challenges faced by young drivers, such as inexperience in dealing with unexpected

situations, distracted driving, and the importance of ensuring child seats are securely

fastened.

The tips are especially timely as many students prepare to drive home for the Chinese New

Year holidays.

“Driving Skills for Life is a hands-on training programme designed to help drivers develop

essential skills to stay safe on the road, which is especially important for newly licensed

drivers like university students,” said David Westerman, managing director, Asia Pacific

Emerging Markets, Ford Motor Company.

Research conducted by the Malaysian Institute of Road Safety (MIROS) show that 80 per

cent of traffic accidents are caused by human error. Ford’s DSFL programme encourages

safe driving by equipping participants to make the correct decisions when behind the wheel,

to reduce the chance of these accidents occurring.

“At Ford, we take road safety very seriously. Driver training, education and public awareness

are all key to helping make a difference,” said Westerman.

DSFL sessions start in the classroom, with participants learning about a range of topics from

steering control, to under-steer and over-steer, to tips for highway driving and driving in the

rain.

Participants also learn about the dangers of driving under the influence of alcohol, by

wearing specially designed gear that helps simulate the experience of driving while

movement, coordination and alertness are impaired. Participants then move outside for a

hands-on driving session to apply the learnings.

“DSFL gave me a lot more confidence to be on the road, which is important because driving

is my main mode of transport. I was recently involved in a car accident, so learning about the

important aspects of safe driving, like how to apply ABS braking when caught in an

emergency situation was really helpful,” said Ernest Choong, one of the DSFL participants

from Taylor’s Lakeside Campus undertaking his Diploma in Culinary Art.

Wan Nabil Hadi Wan Zainuddin, a participant from the German Malaysian Institute added “I

have always wanted to improve my driving skills so I can be a safer driver, and Ford DSFL

did this by reminding me how important it is to use the correct steering method to ensure you

are really in control of your vehicle.”

DSFL is Ford’s flagship global corporate social responsibility (CSR) programme. In Asia,

Ford DSFL is now in its ninth successful year of training licensed drivers of all ages. In

addition to Malaysia, DSFL training is provided in China, India, Indonesia, Myanmar, Taiwan,

Thailand, Vietnam and the Philippines.

For news releases, related materials and high-resolution photos and video, visit www.media.ford.com.

Follow at www.facebook.com/FordMalaysia or www.youtube.com/FordMsia

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About Ford Motor Company

Ford Motor Company is a global automotive and mobility company based in Dearborn, Michigan. With

about 199,000 employees and 67 plants worldwide, the company’s core business includes designing,

manufacturing, marketing, financing and servicing a full line of Ford cars, trucks, SUVs and electrified

vehicles, as well as Lincoln luxury vehicles. At the same time, Ford is aggressively pursuing emerging

opportunities through Ford Smart Mobility, the company’s plan to be a leader in connectivity, mobility,

autonomous vehicles, the customer experience, and data and analytics. For more information

regarding Ford, its products worldwide or Ford Motor Credit Company, visit www.corporate.ford.com.

About Ford Motor Company Fund and Community Services 

Ford Motor Company Fund and Community Services works with community partners to advance

driving safety, education and community life. For more than 60 years, Ford Motor Company Fund has

operated with ongoing funding from Ford Motor Company. The award-winning Ford Driving Skills for

Life program teaches new drivers through a variety of hands-on and interactive methods. Innovation

in education is encouraged through national programs that enhance high school learning and provide

college scholarships and university grants. Through the Ford Volunteer Corps, more than 25,000 Ford

employees and dealers work on projects each year that better their communities in more than 20

countries. For more information, visit www.community.ford.com.

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