CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Motorists will have the opportunity to drive a brand new Ford car through an advanced driving program offered in Charleston Saturday.
Professional drivers will provide training to students and people of all ages at the 12th Annual Ford Driving Skills for Life Program at the West Virginia Air National Guard Base.
Nolan Katerberg, the program manager, said a learners permit or a driver’s license is required in order to participate.
“It’s a free advanced driving program. We actually put them behind the wheel with professional driving instructors and have them learn key areas,” said Katerberg on Friday.
Katerberg said they found that 60 percent of vehicle crashes fell within four key areas including vehicle handling, hazard recognition, speed and space management.
“It’s a step in the learning process, beyond driver’s education,” he said. “We talk about things like what happens if a car pulls out in front of you? What to do you do? With ice or snow, how do you gain control of the vehicle? Speeding, spacing. Things that people don’t really think about.”
Teenagers as well as parents are invited to join the program. Katerberg said it’s good for adults to get a refresher on some driving tips.
“They’ve been driving for a long time, but they’ll actually learn something when they go out there, so definitely a great course for them,” he said.
To register for the program or for more information, visit www.drivingskillsforlife.com.