'Ford Driving Skills for Life' arrives to American University of Sharjah to promote safe driving among students

Ford's free programme engages young drivers and addresses four key areas that are critical factors in vehicle accidents.

These include distractions / hazard recognition, vehicle handling, space management and speed management.

These four key areas pose the most problems for young drivers and play a role in more than half of the vehicle crashes involving young people worldwide.

Road users in the UAE are almost seven times more likely to be killed than those in Britain, making the nation's roads among the deadliest in the world, according to the Global Status Report on Road Safety, by the World Health Organisation (WHO) in 2009.

During the week of 10-14 February, professional instructors will share and demonstrate special skills and give tips on safe driving practices using specially equipped Ford vehicles: the new Focus, Mustang and Edge models.

The Ford Driving Skills for Life is a US national safety initiative created in 2003 by Ford Motor Company, the Governors Highway Safety Association (GHSA) and a panel of safety experts. The programme is tailored in each of the markets it is launched to reflect the local driving environment and road conditions. This year, the programme debuts in the Middle East out of the UAE.

Young drivers can also access tips and special videos as well as games on the Driving Skills for Life app on the Ford Middle East Facebook page.