Ford Brings Teen Safe Driving Program to Rhode Island

Strategic Insights -

Bishop Hendricken High School in Warwick, Rhode Island, has been selected to participate in Ford's national award-winning teen safe driving program, Ford Driving Skills for Life (Ford DSFL). The program, expanded with a $1,000,000 grant, will provide hands-on training and web-based training to students, focusing on skills such as distractions, vehicle handling, space management, and speed management. The event will be led by Colonel Steven O'Donnell, Superintendent of the Rhode Island State Police, and race car driver Mike Speck.

Key Takeaways:

  • Ford DSFL is a national, award-winning teen safe driving program that provides hands-on training and web-based training to newly-licensed teens.
  • The program teaches skills such as distractions, vehicle handling, space management, and speed management, which are leading causes of crashes in young drivers.
  • In Rhode Island, drivers between the ages of 16 and 20 years old account for only about 5% of Rhode Island drivers, yet they accounted for 17% of all fatal auto accidents in 2009.
  • Younger Rhode Island drivers are more likely to be involved in severe crashes and have a substantially higher injury rate compared to drivers over 24 years old.
  • The injury rate for younger drivers in Rhode Island is directly related to the age of the driver and the risk of a crash or injury.
  • Ford DSFL has partnered with the Rhode Island Department of Transportation's (RIDOT) Office on Highway Safety to educate young drivers about the responsibilities of driving.
  • The program aims to increase knowledge, confidence, and safety among young drivers by teaching them key skill sets beyond standard driver education programs.

Statistics:

  • In 2009, drivers between the ages of 16 and 20 years old accounted for 17% of all fatal auto accidents in Rhode Island.
  • This age group accounts for only about 5% of Rhode Island drivers.
  • Rhode Island motor vehicle crashes remain the leading cause of death for children and youth, ages 5 to 24.
  • Teen fatality rates in Rhode Island are highest (on a fatality per estimated vehicle miles traveled basis) during the hours of 10 PM to 4 AM.
  • Younger Rhode Island drivers are more likely to be involved in crashes resulting from distracted driving.

Sources:

  • Governors Highway Safety Association (GHSA)
  • Rhode Island Department of Transportation's (RIDOT) Office on Highway Safety
  • Ford Motor Company Fund
  • Ford Motor Company
  • Bishop Hendricken High School
  • Colonel Steven O'Donnell, Superintendent of the Rhode Island State Police
  • Jay Brennan, Principal of Bishop Hendricken
  • Sue Cischke, group vice president, Sustainability, Environment and Safety Engineering, Ford Motor Company
  • Michael P. Lewis, RIDOT's Director