Successful global program being introduced in Indonesia, where 24 millions road traffic accidents occur annually
Jakarta – August 25, 2008 – Ford Motor Indonesia (FMI) today launched Ford Motor Company's successful Driving Skills for Life (DSFL) campaign, with the support of The Ministry of Transportation and in cooperation with the Asia Injury Prevention (AIP) Foundation and the Indonesia Defensive Driving Center (IDDC).
The DSFL campaign offers free driver's education and training to the public, teaching practical skills and techniques to master both safe and fuel-efficient driving. The training has been customized for Indonesia to reflect the local driving environment and road conditions. Today’s launch in Jakarta will be followed by two workshop sessions Cikeas multifunction complex, Bogor tomorrow and Wednesday, August 26-27. Participants will include students from fifty [50] Indonesian universities, as well as a number of FMI dealers and employees.
“Road safety is a very serious issue in Indonesia, and also one that's highly relevant to our business. Driving Skills for Life is an ideal way for Ford and our partners to work with the Indonesian private sector to leverage our collective expertise and help make a difference in driver safety on Indonesia's roads,” said Will Angove, President Director of Ford Motor Indonesia.
Reducing the toll of road traffic accidents across the region is a key objective of the Driving Skills for Life program. The World Health Organization estimates that road traffic accidents will become the third-leading cause of premature death for all ages by 2020, accounting for a staggering 1.2 million deaths every year. In Indonesia, 24 million road traffic accidents in 2007 were responsible for nearly 37.000 deaths and more than 2.5 million injuries.
The Driving Skills for Life program is being supported by The Ministry of Transportation and Indonesian National Police, with training certification provided by Badan Nasional Sertifikasi Profesi / BNSP, The Profession Certification National Committee.
“Ford Motor Indonesia is honored to have the cooperation of reputable parties such as IDDC and BNSP, as well as support from the Indonesian Government. Working together on the Driving Skills for Life program, we'll be helping to save lives, as well as educating drivers on how to reduce their fuel consumption. We hope our efforts will increase awareness of road safety among Indonesian drivers,” added Angove.
According to Greig Craft, President of the Asia Injury Prevention Foundation (AIPF), programs like Driving Skills for Life are critical to address growing concerns about road safety in the emerging markets of Asia and Africa. The organization is a member of the United Nations Road Safety Collaboration, and is dedicated to public awareness and education programs on road safety.
“This is a huge step in the right direction,” Craft said. “In developing countries like Indonesia, motorization is happening so quickly that road traffic injuries and deaths are reaching an epidemic proportion. People are taking to the road in ever-greater numbers, usually without the training to drive properly or the fundamental understanding of driving skills. Driver training, education and public awareness are imperative to making a difference.”
Making Serious Learning Engaging
Key focal points of the training include awareness of road and traffic conditions, safe driving techniques and methods to drive more economically with reduced environmental impact.
“The techniques used for safe driving are essentially the same as for economical, fuel-efficient motoring,” said Neal McCarthy, Corporate Communications Director of Ford's Asia Pacific and Africa region. “Hence, driving steadily at a reasonable engine speed is not only safer, but can also help drivers improve fuel efficiency by up to 25 percent, as well as reduce CO2 emissions.”
Economical driving training includes anticipating road conditions, applying fuel-efficient driving techniques, avoiding speeding and keeping a vehicle properly maintained for optimal fuel economy. Safe driving skills focus on the use of safety belts, recognizing and anticipating changing traffic conditions, avoiding distraction and maintaining a safe distance from other vehicles in traffic.
“Inspiring safe driving is the single biggest step we can take to reducing road traffic accidents,” Craft said. “Driving Skills for Life will help drivers become more aware of the conditions around them and of how important their actions are to road safety.”
“It is great to see Ford, a leader in safety, doing something about this critical issue,” Craft said. “Driving Skills for Life is a public-private partnership that effectively involves government and non-government organizations. We believe it will be the catalyst for further action to improve road safety as nations across this region deal with rapid changes on their roads.”
The introduction of Driving Skills for Life in Southeast Asia is made possible by a Ford GlobalGiving Campaign grant. This is the first Asian initiative from Ford GlobalGiving, a campaign by Ford Motor Company Fund and Community Services.
Notes to Editors:
Separate from Ford Motor Company, the Ford Motor Company Fund and Community Services is committed to creating opportunities that promote corporate citizenship, philanthropy, volunteerism and cultural diversity for those who live in the communities where Ford does business. Established in 1949 and made possible by Ford Motor Company profits, the Ford Motor Company Fund and Community Services supports initiatives and institutions that foster innovative education, auto-related safety, and American heritage and legacy. The Ford Volunteer Corps, established in 2005, continues Ford's legacy of caring worldwide. Through the Volunteer Corps, salaried employees, union members, retirees and their families participate in a wide range of volunteer projects in their communities.
Asia Injury Prevention Foundation's mission is to reduce the rising number of traffic fatalities in developing Asian countries, and to raise awareness of their social, economic, and human impact. Asia Injury Prevention Foundation is a non-profit organization, listed as a tax-deductible 501 (c) 3 public charity by the U.S. government. It is a member of the United Nations Road Safety Collaboration. For more information on the AIPF, please visit www.asiainjury.org
For more information regarding the Driving Skills for Life program, please visit www.drivingskillsforlife.com.
