Ford Media Center

National Teen Driver Safety Week: New Report Funded by Ford Spotlights Decrease in Teen Deaths Since 2004 But Still Shows Risks for Older Teens

In advance of National Teen Driver Safety Week (Oct. 16-22), a new report from the Governors Highway Safety Association (GHSA), funded by a grant from the Ford Motor Company fund, shows that while much progress has been made in reducing teen driver-involved traffic crashes and deaths over the past decade, teens drivers are still 1.6 times more likely to be involved in a fatal crash than their adult counterparts and teen-involved fatal crashes increased by 10 percent in 2015.

The report also reveals that while great progress has been made at reducing younger teen driver deaths (ages 15-17), more needs to be done for older teen drivers (ages 18-20). The report provides recommendations for actions that can be taken to continue a decrease in teen deaths.

“This data shows that smart programs, like Driving Skills for Life, that focus on teen driving behavior have been very successful in helping novice and younger drivers be safer on the roads,” said Jim Graham, Global Manager for the Ford Driving Skills for Life program.

To read more of the report “Mission Not Accomplished: Teen Safe Driving, the Next Chapter,” an interactive PDF version of the report is available online.

Ford Driving Skills for Life was established in 2003 by Ford Motor Company Fund, the Governors Highway Safety Association, and a panel of safety experts to teach newly licensed teens and parents the necessary skills for safe driving beyond what they learn in standard driver education programs. The basic premise behind Ford Driving Skills for Life is to provide a step in the learning process, providing new skills and information not currently shared with newly licensed drivers in the basic driver education courses.

The program has trained more than one million individuals in safe driving practices. It is offered in 35 countries, and hands-on driving clinics have been conducted in all 50 U.S. states, Puerto Rico and the District of Columbia.

For more information visit http://www.drivingskillsforlife.com/.

About Ford Motor Company

Ford Motor Company (NYSE: F) is a global company based in Dearborn, Michigan, committed to helping build a better world, where every person is free to move and pursue their dreams.  The company’s Ford+ plan for growth and value creation combines existing strengths, new capabilities and always-on relationships with customers to enrich experiences for customers and deepen their loyalty.  Ford develops and delivers innovative, must-have Ford trucks, sport utility vehicles, commercial vans and cars and Lincoln luxury vehicles, along with connected services.  The company does that through three customer-centered business segments:  Ford Blue, engineering iconic gas-powered and hybrid vehicles; Ford Model e, inventing breakthrough electric vehicles along with embedded software that defines exceptional digital experiences for all customers; and Ford Pro, helping commercial customers transform and expand their businesses with vehicles and services tailored to their needs.  Additionally, Ford provides financial services through Ford Motor Credit Company.  Ford employs about 174,000 people worldwide.  More information about the company and its products and services is available at corporate.ford.com.