Story Published:
May 15, 2008 at 10:25 AM CST
Story Updated:
May 15, 2008 at 10:52 AM CST
Officials with the Ford Motor Company and Illinois's Operation Teen Safe Driving say their work in schools is leading to a drop in the number of teenagers killed in car accidents.
Ford Motor Company sponsors the Driving Skills for Life Program.
It is back in Central Illinois for a second year.
This time, in cooperation with Illinois' Operation Teen Safe Driving, about 200 students will get behind the wheel for some extra driving lessons from professional drivers.
Andrew Sieloff, the Ford Driving Skills for Life Manager, said, "We focus on 4 skills. Speed management, space management, hazard recognition and vehicle handling. Experts identified a lack of those skills as being the cause of 60 percent of teen fatalities."
Driving Instructor Randy Bleicher added, "They learn where to look what to do with their hands in a skid not everyone gets the same amount of information, but they all take something home with them."
Teen driving deaths are down about 60% in the state of Illinois, compared to the same period last year.
Officials say more schools are getting involved in the education program.
The road courses are set up at the Peoria Army National Guard Base.
