Some teens still go to summer camp, but they usually go as camp counselors or they work there on a volunteer basis to earn some summer college credits. A few teens in Sioux Falls, South Dakota are going to camp this year too, but this time they’ll be learning driving skill and the dangers of drunk driving.
The period of time between Memorial Day and Labor Day is known as the 100 deadly days to be a teen driver, and that’s why Ford’s Driving Skills For Life camp is stopping in South Dakota on July 25th and 26th. It’s part of a state tour promoting safe driving to teens, and they are putting it on in partnership with the Governors Highway Safety Association with the goal to give teens the skills and knowledge to avoid crashing when they’re in situations involving speeding, drunk driving, and distracted driving.
The Governors Highway Safety Association has stated that 60% of teens crash because they lack experience in four key areas: vehicle handling, speed management, hazard recognition, and distracted or impaired driving. During the 2-day camp the teens will be given classroom instruction and taken out on a driving range with professional drivers.
During their time on the driving range, the teens will be given goggles and a special drunk driving suit to show them the true danger of drinking and driving, and they’ll be asked to use their cell phone to call and text to show them how dangerous distracted driving is. With 6 teen fatalities in 2015 already, this type of educational camp is long overdue.
Ford’s Driving Skills For Life camp will be touring across the United States and stopping in Nebraska, Iowa, Wisconsin, Wyoming, and North Dakota this summer. Attendance is free, and if you’d like more information on how your teen can attend the camp, visit www.drivingskillsforlife.com.