IIT Madras and Ford Join Forces to Empower Young Drivers
The Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Madras Center of Excellence for Road Safety (CoERS) has partnered with Ford to tackle the rising concern of road accidents involving young drivers. This collaboration aims to equip thousands of students from 240 schools in Tamil Nadu with essential road safety knowledge and skills.
The initiative will involve master trainers who will instruct young drivers, advocate for safer driving practices, and enhance the education of students, teachers, and traffic officials. This comprehensive approach aims to create a culture of road safety among young drivers, fostering responsible driving habits from a young age.
The partnership comes in response to alarming statistics from the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) report on Road Accidents in India 2022. The report revealed that a staggering 42,878 out of 168,491 fatal road accident victims were under 25 years of age.
IIT Madras and Ford are committed to addressing this critical issue through early road safety education. The initiative will offer capacity-building training for teachers, traffic wardens, and police personnel, ensuring that road safety practices are embedded in young drivers from the beginning.
V Kamakoti, director of IIT Madras, emphasized the importance of engaging the younger generation in road safety efforts. He believes that sensitizing young drivers to safer driving practices will foster a culture of safety on the roads.
Venkatesh Balasubramanian, head of CoERS, echoed this sentiment, highlighting the critical role of early exposure to road safety in shaping responsible driving behavior.
This collaboration between IIT Madras and Ford represents a significant step towards creating a safer future for young drivers and all road users in India. By equipping young drivers with the knowledge and skills they need, the initiative aims to reduce road accidents and save lives.