One of the most exciting times in your teenage life is the fateful day that you earn your driver's license. The open road is ahead of you and you feel like nothing can stop you.

Your parents, of course, tend to worry about your safety since you are now putting the pedal to the metal. And such concern is expected: during 2005 in the United States, over 7,500 drivers between the ages of 15-20 were involved in a fatal car accident. The fatality rate based on miles driven for this age group is also four times higher than that of drivers 25- to 69-years-old.

Thus, whether you are cruising around the neighborhood with friends, or taking the wheel on the next family excursion to Grandma's for the holidays, make sure to take action in order to prevent a serious accident. And there are plenty of precautions that can be taken to insure the safety of you and all of your passengers.

Driving Skills for Life is a program that was established in 2003 by the Ford Motor Company which reaches out to newly licensed teens in order to teach them the necessary skills needed for safe driving. The goal of Driving Skills for Life is to go beyond what the average teenage has learned in his or her standard driving education course. Focusing on the four areas which cause 60% of vehicle crashes -Hazard Recognition, Vehicle Handling, Speed Management, as well as Space Management- Driving Skills for Life is free for all teenagers.

Included in the program is the following: A comprehensive web site, www.drivingskillsforlife.com, with great materials for teens, parents and teachers alike. In the teen section there are four different study modules and a quiz, as well as various car care videos, interactive games, and even a curriculum which focuses on the importance of personal safety and the environment in relation to eco-driving.

There are tips that explain the central components of tire safety, seat belt use, how to avoid distractions on the road and why drinking and driving do not mix. Also provided for family and school use is the Educator Packet. This no-cost pack has an in-depth DVD which concentrates on each of the aforementioned driving skills, a letter for both parents and educators; in addition to a leader's guide, brochures, and cards. Materials are also available in English and Spanish.

Finally, Driving Skills for Life has Ride-and-Drives where teens get to apply all the information they have learned to their real experiences in the driver's seat of a car. Behind the wheel, teens will go through exercises on the four skills. In this instructional setting, these new drivers have a great opportunity to gain experience with a professional safety teacher. Thus bringing the learning material to fruition and making the precautions more practical.

Also joining forces with Ford Motor Company are the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia and the Governors Highway Safety Association, as well as others. These organizations have gone to Congress in order to bring more attention to the importance of teenage driving safety. Thus, 2007 was the first year that named the week of October 15-21 as "National Teen Driver Safety Week."

Driving Skills for Life is constantly adding new aspects to its program in order to improve its success rate. For more information on the program check out their website or call 888/987-8765 to register yourself. This way you will be a cool, but safe, driver.

by Jillian Ryan

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