Portland area teenagers to learn safe driving skills at Ford-sponsored event

(Photo: Ford Motor Company)

Nearly 3,000 teenagers die every year in motor vehicle crashes in our country — it’s the leading cause of death in the 12-19 year age group and represents nearly half of all teenage fatalities.

As a bicycle rider (and father of a teenager), it’s quite unpleasant to think about sharing the road with these inexperienced and often distracted young people. That’s why I’m happy to share that this weekend Ford is sponsoring a series of free “Driving Skills for Life” clinics that will teach teens from around the region how to drive safely.

The event is part of a national tour that Ford Motor Company has been organizing for 12 years and it’s being promoted by the Oregon Department of Transportation as an element of their Vision Zero plans.

There are four clinics scheduled for this Saturday and Sunday (9/10-11) that will take place on Port of Portland propery in northwest.

Here’s a promotional video to give you a taste of how the clinics are run:

Some of the skills taught in the clinics include: safety of vulnerable roadway users, driving while impaired and/or drowsy, speed management, hazard recognition, and handling. Ford will supply a special drunk driving suit that mimics impaired conditions — and hopefully scares the teens from ever feeling that way while behind the wheel. The teens are paired with professional drivers and parents are encouraged to attend.

If you are the parent, friend, or caregiver of a newly licensed teenage driver, check out the resources and register for the free Portland clinics at DrivingSkillsForLife.com.

Our driver’s education and licensing system is woefully inadequate so it’s good to see a private company step up and provide this type of education and training.

— Jonathan Maus, (503) 706-8804 – jonathan@bikeportland.org

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