CHENNAI : Indian Institute of Technology Madras’ Center of Excellence for Road Safety (CoERS) is partnering with Ford to address the growing concern of road accidents involving young drivers. The initiative aims to train the young minds of the next generation of drivers.
The initiative aiming to equip thousands of students from 240 schools in Tamil Nadu with essential road safety knowledge and skills through master trainers.
As per a Report on ‘Road Accidents in India 2022’ by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH), as many as 42,878 out of total 1,68,491 fatal road accident victims in the year 2022 were under 25 years.
Inculcating road safety practices in childhood is vital as it helps embed these habits into long-term memory, making them a natural part of their lifestyle. By teaching road safety early, the society can ensure that safe behaviours become second nature, helping to save lives on roads.
Towards this objective, this program by IIT Madras and Ford focuses on practical training, emphasizing responsible driving on the roads. The CoERS, IIT Madras, and Ford signed Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on 30th August 2024 towards this collaboration.
These trained individuals will impart further training programs in their respective schools and traffic jurisdictions creating multiplier effects driving practices, traffic rules, and hazard awareness. By investing in the education of young drivers, CoERS and Ford aim to reduce accidents and create a safer future for all road users.
An Inaugural session of the training program along with MoU signing ceremony was organized at IIT Madras campus on 30th August 2024. This collaboration will provide valuable resources and expertise to the program, further enhancing its impact.
Speaking on the occasion, Prof. V Kamakoti, Director, IIT Madras, said, “IIT Madras is committed to driving social change through various initiatives. Engaging the younger generation in these efforts is crucial for fostering a culture of safety on the roads. We have previously worked on improving driver behavior, and through this initiative, we aim to sensitize the younger generation—the drivers of tomorrow—towards safer driving practices.”
As a part of this, the capacity-building training sessions will be conducted for teachers, traffic wardens, and traffic police personnel on road safety from human behaviour perspectives.
Emphasizing the need for such collaborations, Prof. Venkatesh Balasubramanian, Head, CoERS, IIT Madras, and RBG Labs, Department of Engineering Design, IIT Madras said, “Early exposure to road safety procedures is essential for preparing young brains and fostering behavioral changes that will enable them to drive safely. This initiative with Ford will facilitate equip the young minds who are the future drivers with the essential skills and behavioral change required for them to be a responsible road user.”
Further, Mr. Sreenivasan Janakiraman, CSR Head, Ford, said, “Our focus is on empowering educators to foster a culture of road safety, ensuring that the students and the young riders are equipped with the knowledge and skills to navigate the roads safely. This collaboration with CoERS, IIT Madras to inculcate Activity Based Learning Pedagogy helps nurture the next generation of safe drivers.”
