TWO hundred thirty-nine Bacolodnons underwent the Ford Philippines Driving Skills for Life (DSFL) training program for free that was held at SMX Convention Center in Bacolod City on September 24.
EJ Francisco, AVP for Communications of Ford Philippines, said the training program aims to educate more drivers to become safer and more responsible while on the road.
The automotive company first brought its safe driving training program in Bacolod last year. It was attended by over 250 private and public utility drivers, student drivers and traffic and road management personnel where they learned more about the benefits of smart, safe, and fuel-efficient driving as well as driving skills that help lower road accidents, altercations, and traffic congestion.
This year, Ford has targeted to partner with taxi, bus, and importance of sport network vehicle services (TNVS) companies as well as with traffic management bureaus, colleges and universities within Bacolod to reach more drivers and instill in them, the importance of road safety - either as a driver or as part of the commuting public.
Ford has also reached out to call center companies -- Concentrix and Teleperformance and its employees for them to become road safety advocates.
Ford also tapped its customers and Ford clubs in Bacolod to be part of their training audience.
DSFL trainees learned about the dangers of distracted and drunk driving. Tips and techniques in driving under special conditions and vehicle handling were also imparted to them during the training sessions. They were refreshed with road statistics and relevant regulations such as the Child Safety in Motor Vehicles Act.
DSFL is one of Ford's biggest corporate social responsibility (CSR) 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 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 program is a combination of classroom training on vehicle handling, driving in special conditions, anti-distracted driving, and fuel-efficient driving as hands-on driving simulation was done to allow drivers to apply their learnings from classroom sessions.
"Ford commits to help promote and improve road safety in the country. Our aim is to enhance awareness on DSFL by 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," Francisco said.
Early this year, Ford's DSFL bagged the Gold Award in the road safety category given during the 3rd Driven to Serve Awards of the Society of Philippine Motoring Journalists (SPMJ), setting aside other awards it consistently earned in the country.
DSFL was established in the United States in 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.