Earning your license is not the same as finding your
confidence on the road. Which is why Ford Canada and Jubilee Ford were proud to
help over 60 drivers of all ages build their skills at the Ford Driving Skills for Life workshop.
On Tuesday, September 25th, the drivers learned about
vehicle handling, hazards and collision avoidance on a secure course. The
closed course allowed the trained driving instructors to simulate real-life
driving scenarios in a risk-free environment.

An instructor gives pointers to a participant on collision
avoidance.

A participant drives with ‘fatal vision’ goggles with an SPS
member.
“Oh, that was the
neighbour’s cat you just ran over,” the member said as one driver unknowingly
drove over a pylon.

The program was separated into three stations, each with a
unique course and a Ford automobile. Vehicle handling used a Ford Mustang
outfitted with a skid simulator to teach the participants about over-steering.
Flashing lights and a Ford Escape were used to teach collision avoidance at
high speeds and participants struggled to drive a Ford EcoSport using ‘fatal
vision’ goggles.

Dave Drimmie, lead instructor of Ford Driving Skills for Life says
the advanced course is intended to go beyond what is taught in standard
driver’s ed classes. “The course is challenging but it’s good to see everyone
doing well. There is like a light that goes on when they get out of the
vehicle.”
This is the first Driving Skills for Life workshop
in Saskatoon but organizers say they are excited to come back. Participants
were also the first in Canada to experience the Wheel
Swap virtual reality experience. Wheel Swap hopes to train
drivers to be more aware of cyclists by sharing the road from a cyclist’s
perspective.
“Safer drivers mean safer roads.” Dave Drimmie says, “And we
are excited to do our part to make every city in Canada a little safer.”