The Ford ‘Driving Skills for Life’ programme

Ford Motor Company and its distributor in Kenya, Cooper Motor Corporation (CMC), hosted the Driving Skills for Life (DSFL) programme for the third consecutive year. DSFL equips motorists with practical skills that help improve road safety and promote fuel efficient driving techniques.

On 19th October 2018, CMC held DSFL at the National Industrial Training Authority (NITA) facility in Athi River. The event included DSFL lead instructors who provided participants from local government, corporate entities, CMC employees, media, and customers with a combination of classroom training and on-the-road practice.

Road Accidents in Kenya

According to a recent statistic from the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA), Kenya lost around 10,000 lives through road accidents in 2018. Common causes of car accidents in Kenya include drunk driving, careless driving, lack of concentration, and failure to use seatbelts.

“We are delighted to host the DSFL programme for the third time,” said Martin Mutuku, Business Market Analyst at CMC Motors Kenya. “Our motive is to equip drivers with essential skills and life-saving driving techniques highlighted by the DSFL programme. DSFL educates drivers about the consequences of distracted or impaired driving and to be more cautious on the road.”

DSLF’s Brief History

DSFL is a free driver training programme that was established in the United States in 2003 by the Ford Motor Company Fund. It has been progressively rolled out around the world. It has already been launched in eight markets across the Sub-Saharan Africa region, including Angola, Madagascar, Nigeria, South Africa, Uganda, Zambia and Zimbabwe.

DSFL features some of the newest and most innovative tools and techniques to teach drivers to become safer and more aware, thus enabling them to make sound decisions behind the wheel.

The Curriculum Training Process

Through theoretical training in a classroom environment, followed by hands-on driving instruction, participants gain valuable insight and experience in vehicle handling, hazard recognition and speed and space management

In addition, participants learn the importance of safety belt use for all vehicle occupants.
The curriculum includes the special Drunk Goggles, which emphasize the dangers of driving while impaired. Whilst wearing the goggles, participants gain perspective on how being over the legal alcohol limit can slow movement, reduce coordination, blur vision and make tasks difficult.

Conclusion

“Following on the success of the DSFL programme in Kenya in 2016 and 2017, we look forward to providing even more value to all stakeholders through yet another year of training,” concluded Mutuku.