Hi, I am your favourite car.I live in a busy Indian city with a wonderful family.I love my glossy colour, my plush seats, my smart screen...the list goes on and on.

Okay, I am not a show-off.I am just giddy with pride.

This is Dia, my best friend. She takes good care of me. She is a careful and cautious driver who always follows traffic rules.

Dia says, “We are responsible not just for ourselves, but for others too.”Every time we drive together, I have a big smile on my face.

I love it when we drive on the highway, where we can go really fast. But no matter how much I love speed, I make sure that I stay in check. Dia says, “It’s better to be safe than sorry.”

The first time I visited the car wash, I was very very scared.

On special days, Dia takes me for a fancy car wash.

SQUEA

K!

SQUEA

K!

HEE-HEE

HOO-HOO!HEE-HEE

HOO-HOO!

I feel squeaky clean.

Wow! Not a speck

of dust on you.

I am not scared anymore.

Oh, that tickles.

What a beautiful day it is today!Seems perfect for a car wash.Perhaps Dia will surprise me.

Ah, there she comes. Hey, wait! She isn’t alone.That’s Dia’s sister, Ria, with her kids, Jai and baby Noori.So today is not about me. It’s about them.

What is Dia carrying? A car seat? It must be for baby Noori.

Picnic, hurray!

It's picnic day.Let’s go.

TUK - TUK

Wahh!

Mommy lap!

I am sorry, Noori, you have to sit on your special seat. It will keep you safe. There's no wiggling out of it. Besides, Jai will be right next

to you.

CHILD LOCK -

CLICK!

I am really excited.You see, it’s my first time carrying kids.

Wahh! Wahh!

Are we ready?

Ready, steady, go!

CLICK!

CLICK!

Wahhhh!

Mama, why can't I sitin the front like you?

Jai, you can't sit in the front till

you turn 13.

13? Not fair!

Have I toldyou the story about

the airbags?

No.

Story time!

Yay! I love listening to stories.

Deep inside the car, there live some gentle giants...

...known as airbags.

These airbags have a superpower...

...that remains hidden until it is needed.

What superpower?

Ba’oons!

Their superpower is that they fill up with air so quickly that they become

super balloons.The airbags protect and

cushion the adults sitting in the front. But their power is too strong for children;

they will hurt a child if they inflate onto them.

Wow! I am sure Jai has now understood why he can’t sit in the front.

Did I tell you that I have two airbags in the front and four airbags on the sides?

Dia says, “It’s better to have more airbags than a few so that everyone in the car is protected in case of an accident.”

That’s why I love Dia so much.

Your phone is ringing.

One should always keep their eyes on the road and hands on the

wheel because...

It’s better to be safe than sorry.

Why have you stopped the car,

maasi?

The traffic light is about to

turn red.

Stop!

Smart, Noori!

But the light was orange when you stopped.

We could have passed.

When the light turns orange, you must slow down

and prepare to...

Green, go... Go. Go. Go.

Let’‘s wait until the people crossing the road

reach the other side. Remember, we must be courteous to others

on the road.

Nee-naw!

Here comes an ambulance. Let's allow it to pass,

maasi.

Nee-naw!

That's right, Jai.

As responsible citizens, we must understand that someone on the ambulance may need medical

attention immediately and they must reach a hospital in the

golden hour.

Golden hour?

The first hour after an accident or a critical emergency is called the golden

hour. Medical treatment given within this time can save a life.

I will always keep that in mind.

Aware, careful and caring — that’s what this family is. It’s no wonder that I adore them.

Mama, may I unbuckle the seat belt for a second? I'd like to take off

my jacket.

Jai, i’t’s not safe to unbuckle your seat belt in a

moving car.

Take care, Ford.We will be back soon.

I’ve learnt so much about safety on the road. I hope you have too.

Thank you for being our friend on this journey.

Be back soon and be safe.

Look, we’’ve arrived at our destination.

Discover More with Ford inspires us to be the change we want to see on Indian roads. Told through the eyes of an EcoSport, the book showcases how Dia -- the protagonist -- follows road safety rules and motivates others. Through the story, we discover the importance of being courteous, patient and considerate while on the road. Written by Rohini Vij, with illustrations by Priya Kuriyan, the book is an attempt by Ford India to make people pause,

reflect and discover how to make roads safer and saner using Dia as a role model.