Ford Holds Driving Skills for Life Workshops in Sabah to Promote Safe Driving Behaviour

As part of its efforts to promote safe driving behaviour and road safety awareness in Malaysia, Ford and its local distribution partner, Sime Darby Auto ConneXion (SDAC), recently launched Ford’s flagship safe driver training programme, Driving Skills for Life (DSFL) for the first time in Sabah, East Malaysia. 

Ford Holds First-ever Driving Skills for Life Workshops in Sabah, East Malaysia to Promote Safe Driving Behaviour

More than 80 Ford customers and members of the public participated in a half-day workshop which consisted of both classroom and practical hands-on sessions. A total of four training sessions were organised over the weekend of 16-17 December. 

The workshops were held in conjunction with the ‘Carlist.my DRIVE: Off-road Edition 2019’ event, allowing members of the public to learn about the DSFL programme and gain safe-driving information. The classroom and practical sessions took place at SDAC’s Kota Kinabalu branch and the Likas Stadium respectively. 

Provided free-of-charge, the DSFL programme aims to raise awareness on road safety, and aid the reduction of traffic fatalities and injuries, by helping to educate drivers on the skills and techniques needed to drive more safely.

Malaysia has one of the highest vehicle ownership rates in the region, though it also records two million traffic accidents daily in Malaysia. [1] While East Malaysia has lesser number of vehicles on the road, fatal road accidents are on the rise, with non-compliance to traffic and road safety regulations considered the main contributing factors. [2]

“At Ford and SDAC, we are committed to equipping Malaysians with safe driving knowledge, and that’s why we have decided to bring this programme to East Malaysia,” said Syed Ahmad Muzri Syed Faiz, Managing Director, Sime Darby Auto ConneXion. “Ford’s DSFL programme provides the know-how to help drivers understand a number of unpredictable scenarios that could happen on the road, while also equipping them with the tools to tackle potentially dangerous situations accordingly.” 

“At Ford and SDAC, we are committed to equipping Malaysians with safe driving knowledge, and that’s why we have decided to bring this programme to East Malaysia."

Syed Ahmad Muzri Syed Faiz, Managing Director, Sime Darby Auto ConneXion.

The workshops addressed various driver risks with trainings focused on four main areas:

  • Distractions - Making smart decisions behind the wheel to limit distractions such as mobile phone usage, and staying focused on the task of driving
  • Hazard recognition - Scanning the road ahead for potential dangers, particularly approaching intersections and safety zones
  • Speed and space management - Learning to adjust speed to maintain safe space around, ahead, and behind a vehicle while avoiding being rear-ended
  • Vehicle handling - Understanding the vehicle’s capability and learning to better control it by leveraging its safety features such as Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB), Semi-Automatic Parallel Parking (SAPP), Forward Collision Warning and Lane Departure Warning

An emphasis on the dangers of driving under the influence of alcohol or medication was also incorporated as part of the programme. This included having participants wear specially designed goggles that help simulate the experience of driving while movement, coordination, and alertness are impaired. 
The latest numbers from the World Health Organisation (WHO) highlight that around 1.35 million people lose their lives in road accidents each year, while between 20 and 50 million others suffer non-fatal injuries, with many incurring a disability. [3] Worryingly, WHO’s statistics indicate that road traffic injuries are currently the leading cause of death in the world for children and young adults aged between 5-29.

Now in its 16th year, Ford Driving Skills for Life has provided free training to more than one million newly-licensed drivers in 40 countries, which equates to an investment of more than USD$50 million, highlighting Ford’s commitment to promoting safety on the road. 
 
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[1] “Driving And Mobile Phone Use” 
[2] Sabah State Police Commission 
[3] Global Status Report on Road Safety

The programme aims to raise awareness on road safety by helping to educate drivers on the skills and techniques needed to drive more safely.