The Ford Driving Skills for Life safety program, on its 13th national tour, makes a stop Saturday and Sunday, Aug. 26-27 at Emerald Downs, 2300 Ron Crockett Drive, Auburn.

Session 1 is 7:30 a.m. to noon, and Session 2 runs from 1 to 5:30 p.m. each day.

Newly-licensed drivers or teens who hold a valid learner’s permit can participate in the free program. Parents are also encouraged to participate with their teens because of the significant role they play in shaping their children’s driving habits.

The free hands-on driver training will focus on four key areas: hazard recognition, vehicle handling, space management and speed management. The program will also discuss the dangers of distracted driving and offer participants the use of two special suits – the drunk driving suit introduced in 2013 and the drugged driving suit debuting this year. Both suits are designed to stress the dangers of driving while impaired.

The Ford Driving Skills for Life program was created in 2003 in conjunction with the Governors Highway Safety Association to provide teens with the skills and experience they need to become safer drivers. In the Seattle/Tacoma event, the program is a partnership with the Washington State Traffic Safety Commission.

Learn more at Ford DrivingSkillsForLife.