Buffalo PAL Partners with Ford Driving Skills for Life in Free Crash-Prevention Driving Course for Buffalo Teens This Weekend
National program provides hands-on crash prevention training to help young drivers build confidence and critical decision-making skills behind the wheel
Photos by Ford Philanthropy
BUFFALO, N.Y. — The Police Athletic League Buffalo (Buffalo PAL) today announced a new partnership with Ford Driving Skills for Life, a nationally recognized advanced driver training program that gives local teens the opportunity to develop life-saving driving skills at no cost. The program will take place July 25 and 26 at 7:30 a.m. and at 1 p.m. each day at SUNY Erie North Campus in Williamsville. The training is open to teens with either a learner's permit or driver's license.
Comparable driver training packages nationally range from $300 to $950, depending on the provider and number of behind-the-wheel hours included. Ford Driving Skills for Life is a free, hands-on half-day program where participants work one-on-one with professional driving instructors in a safe, controlled environment while learning how to respond to real-world driving situations that are rarely covered in traditional driver's education. The curriculum focuses on crash prevention and defensive driving techniques, including skid control, hazard recognition, speed and space management, accident avoidance, and the dangers of distracted and impaired driving. Vehicles are provided, allowing participants to practice advanced driving maneuvers under expert supervision without using their own cars.
"The Police Athletic League of Buffalo is committed to creating educational opportunities that help youth develop skills they can use throughout their lives,” said Executive Director of Buffalo PAL, Nekia Kemp. “Through this partnership with Ford Driving Skills for Life, Buffalo teens will learn how to react in an emergency before it happens. We want to equip youth with practical life skills that help keep them safe. This partnership reflects Buffalo PAL's commitment to investing in the overall well-being of the youth we serve.”
Motor vehicle crashes remain one of the leading causes of death among teenagers in the United States. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration says that in 2024 there were 2,320 people killed in crashes involving a teen driver between ages 15-18 years old. While most new drivers learn the rules of the road, few receive practical instruction on how to safely handle emergency situations such as losing control of a vehicle, avoiding hazards, or responding to distracted drivers. Ford Driving Skills for Life was developed to bridge that gap by providing advanced behind-the-wheel training that prepares teens for the unexpected.
“Ford has a deep-rooted history in Buffalo, employing more than 700 community members at our Buffalo Stamping Plant, which has been in operation since 1950,” said Ford Philanthropy Mobility Director Joe Provenzano. “We want our community to be as safe as possible. That’s why we’re partnering with Buffalo PAL and bringing Ford Driving Skills for Life here to give young drivers the hands-on experience and confidence they need to handle real-world driving challenges.”
Parents and guardians can register their teens who have a learner's permit or driver's license while slots are still available. Advance registration is required, but space is limited. Register at: https://www.drivingskillsforlife.com/training/hands-on-training
