Launching the 9th edition of the 'Safe and Environmentally Friendly Driving Guide' program.

After more than 8 years of implementation, Ford's Safe and Environmentally Friendly Driving Training Program has provided free training to over 10,000 drivers in 14 provinces and cities nationwide. The program is strategically coordinated with partners such as the National Traffic Safety Committee and the Asia Pacific Foundation for Injury Prevention.

Scenes from the launch event of the 9th "Safe and Environmentally Friendly Driving Guide" program.

In 2016, the program planned to expand training content to include skills related to driving on highways, mixed traffic conditions, or driving in foggy weather. Instructors at driver training and testing centers continued to be a priority for the program. In addition, Ford focused on providing free training to taxi, bus, and truck drivers through transportation associations and provincial and city traffic safety offices. It was projected that 1,500 drivers would receive free training, bringing the total number of beneficiaries of the program to 11,500 by the end of 2016.

Ford Vietnam and the National Traffic Safety Committee signed a cooperation plan to teach safe driving skills to students for the period 2016-2020.

At the program launch press conference, the National Traffic Safety Committee and Ford Vietnam signed a cooperation plan to teach safe driving skills to students for the period 2016-2020, witnessed by representatives from the Ministry of Education and Training, the Ministry of Transport, and relevant member agencies of the National Traffic Safety Committee. According to this plan, Ford Vietnam will provide funding to organize safe driving training sessions for students at five major universities in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City in 2016. The training content will include an overview of traffic safety and safe driving skills, along with activities encouraging young people to raise their awareness and culture of safe driving. The program also focuses on warning young trainees about the distractions and harmful effects of using mobile phones and alcohol while driving. The network of universities participating in the program will be expanded in the coming years.

Ford expanded and rejuvenated its free training program because, according to World Health Organization statistics, more than 1.25 million people die annually worldwide due to traffic accidents, with 90% of victims concentrated in low- and middle-income countries. Traffic accidents are also the leading cause of death for young people aged 15-29, leaving serious consequences for the community and society. It is estimated that developing countries lose more than 3% of their GDP annually due to traffic accidents.

Dr. Khuat Viet Hung, Vice PresidentSpecialized staff of the National Traffic Safety Committeeshared at the program

Mr. Khuat Viet Hung, Vice Chairman of the National Traffic Safety Committee, stated: “We welcome the efforts of businesses, including Ford Vietnam, as a socially responsible act that has contributed to the persistent promotion of traffic safety over the years. The National Traffic Safety Committee believes that with awareness, vision, and concerted action to improve the traffic situation within the framework of global resolutions, we will achieve the goal of reducing the number of traffic accident victims by 50% by 2020 compared to the present.”

Mr. Pham Van Dung - General Director of Ford Vietnam, delivered a speech at the ceremony.

Speaking at the ceremony, Mr. Pham Van Dung, General Director of Ford Vietnam, said: “Besides providing Vietnamese customers with safe and high-quality products, Ford always dedicates resources to contributing to improving safe driving skills and traffic awareness among Vietnamese people. We firmly believe that there is no more effective and sustainable method of reducing traffic accidents than educating, training, and raising awareness among drivers. Ford is embarking on a new mission alongside its core business – contributing to making life better by changing the way the world moves. We hope this program will help make Vietnamese roads healthier and safer.”

On this occasion, the Ford Foundation continues to support the "Helping Hands to Share the Pain of Traffic Accidents" program of the National Traffic Safety Committee with a donation of 220,000,000 VND to help alleviate the suffering and stabilize the lives of traffic accident victims and their families.

Ford Vietnam and the National Traffic Safety Committee signed a cooperation plan to teach safe driving skills to students for the period 2016-2020.

The Thanh