ILOILO City– Ford Philippines is bringing back its Driving Skills for Life (DSFL) program in Iloilo City with an aim to educate more drivers to be safer and more responsible while on the road.
The DSFL, now on its second year in Iloilo, will be held on Oct. 29 at the Iloilo Convention Center, Megaworld Boulevard, Mandurriao, Iloilo City with three training sessions at 10:00 a.m., 12:30 p.m. and 2:00 p.m. Interested participants can send a text message Tuason Racing School via 0956-5644385 to reserve a slot for free.
The automotive company first brought its safe driving program in Iloilo last year, training close to 500 private and public utility drivers, student drivers and traffic and road management personnel. The participants learned more about the benefits of smart, safe and fuel-efficient driving as well as the necessary driving skills to help minimize road accidents, altercations and traffic congestion.
This year, Ford is looking to partner with taxi, bus and transport network vehicle services (TNVS) companies as well as with traffic management bureaus and colleges and universities within Iloilo to reach out to more individuals and instill in them the importance of road safety – either as a driver or as part of the commuting public.
Ford is also reaching out to various call center companies to enjoin its employees as DSFL participants and train them to be road safety advocates. Ford is also tapping its customers in dealerships and Ford car clubs in Iloilo to be part of the training audience.
DSFL participants can expect to learn more about the dangers of distracted driving and drunk driving, as well as tips and techniques in driving under special conditions and vehicle handling in this year’s sessions. They will also be refreshed with road statistics and relevant regulations such as the Child Safety in Motor Vehicles Act.
Flagship corporate social responsibility program
The DSFL program is one of Ford’s biggest corporate social responsibility programs globally, bringing to life its long-standing advocacy on road safety. A United Nations-recognized training program, the DSFL is now on its 12th year in the Philippines and has successfully trained over 23,000 Filipino drivers since 2008. Over the years, the program has made itself relevant with the changing road conditions, policies, and government regulations.
The DSFL program is a combination of classroom training that includes modules on vehicle handling, driving in special conditions, anti-distracted driving and fuel-efficient driving, as well as a hands-on driving simulation that allows participating drivers to apply their lessons from the classroom sessions. The DSFL program is offered to participating drivers for free.
“One of our commitments at Ford is to help promote and improve road safety in the country. Our aim every year is to increase driver safety awareness with the DSFL, practicing the proper skills required of anybody who gets behind the wheel and ensuring that drivers and their passengers get to their destinations safely all the time,” shares EJ Francisco, Ford Philippines AVP for Communications.
The DSFL has been a consistent recipient of awards in the country. Early this year, it bagged a Gold Award in the road safety category of the 3rd Driven to Serve Awards of the Society of Philippine Motoring Journalists.
Driving Skills for Life was established in the United States (US) on 2003 by Ford Motor Company Fund, the US 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.
For more information on Ford Driving Skills for Life, interested parties can visit Ford Philippines’ Facebook page or send an e-mail to [email protected].
