Ford Motor Company Fund and Governors Highway Safety Association Bring Teen Driving...

Ford Motor Company Fund and Governors Highway Safety Association Bring Teen
Driving Summer Camp to Minnesota

Summer is the deadliest time for teen drivers

ST. PAUL, Minn., June 26 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- In an effort to reduce
teen crashes and fatalities in Minnesota, the Ford Motor Company Fund, the
Governors Highway Safety Association, Westfield Insurance and the Minnesota
Department of Public Safety are hosting Twin Cities' teens at the Ford Driving
Skills for Life teen driving summer camp. This free, once-in-a-lifetime
driving experience is being held at the Minnesota State Fairgrounds in St.
Paul, June 26-28.

Vehicle crashes are the number-one killer of teens in Minnesota and
nationwide. In Minnesota 2006-2008, teen drivers (16-19) were involved in
48,799 traffic crashes, resulting in 226 deaths. In all, 137 teens ages 16-19
were killed in crashes.

Students will receive hands-on advanced training by some of the nation's top
professional driving instructors. Participants will learn techniques in four
key skill areas: speed management, space management, vehicle handling and
hazard recognition. Experts have identified the lack of these skills to be the
cause of approximately 60 percent of vehicle crashes for newly licensed
drivers ages 16 to 19.

Through the training camp, teens will gain valuable driving experience and
improve their driving safety skills; parents are welcome to attend as well.

"We are looking forward to bringing the Ford Driving Skills for Life program
to Minnesota," said Jim Graham, community relations manager of the Ford Motor
Company Fund. "The Ford Driving Skills for Life program is designed to help
teens learn important lessons in road safety that are often not discovered
until it is too late. The Ford Motor Company Fund is committed to combating
the alarming rate of teen crashes and fatalities."

Cheri Marti, director of the Minnesota Department of Public Safety Office of
Traffic Safety and a member of GHSA's executive board, says this event is
important to give new teen drivers hands-on experience. She adds the program
encourages parents to stay involved in continuing to train and monitor their
teen drivers.

"Teen drivers pose a threat to themselves, their passengers and other drivers
due to their inexperience and risk-taking behind the wheel," says Marti,
noting summer is the deadliest period on the road for teen drivers. "This
program is a great opportunity to teach teens valuable skills they need to
avoid tragedy on the road."

Ford Driving Skills for Life was created in 2003 in partnership with the GHSA.
It is one of the nation's most comprehensive teen driver safety programs. In
addition to hands-on events such as the event being held in St. Paul, it
consists of learning tools such as an interactive Web site
(www.drivingskillsforlife.com) that includes a learning module, quizzes, car
care videos, driving tip videos, interactive games and an enhanced eco-driving
curriculum. Free educator packets are available for students and parents, as
well as teachers and community programs. Additionally, individual programs can
be created to meet the specific needs of communities and schools.

SOURCE Governors Highway Safety Association

Kara Macek of GHSA, +1-202-789-0942, ext.14