The Effectiveness of Driving Training as a Road Safety Measure

Road safety is a debatable concept, especially in India. Many of us are not even aware of the alarming road accident fatality statistics which paints a deplorable picture of the country. According to a global status report by WHO, India leads the world inroads accident death with one fatal accident every 3.7 minutes, amounting to16 people dying every one hour and 390 deaths every day. While trucks and two-wheelers contribute to 40% of this accident, over speeding, drunk driving, low use of helmets, seat belts, child restraints, lack of enforcement and bad roads, are the lead reasons for such disturbing figures.

When it comes to road safety, there is a lack of awareness among drivers. In the recent years, we have witnessed rapid motorization, urbanization, industrialization, and migration with no major implementations in terms of safety policies and programmes. This has led to a disconnect between people and the country is in dire need of professional driving training programmes that produce smart professional drivers. Especially for industries such as Automotive, Transport, and Logistics, professionally trained drivers are in huge demand.

When compared to driver training systems in developed countries, driver training in India has much room for improvement. The major shortcomings can be attributed to inadequate norms for training, lack of recognized research institutes and lack of access to modern tools and systems of driver training & assessment.

Tapping this potential need for innovative driving training, many institutes are gearing up to provide evolutionary training that works on 360-degree approach. These programs not only focus on practical driving training but also work on all-round development of an individual by enhancing their IT, financial management, soft and life skills, helping them secure a brighter healthier future.

Innovative Driving Programs

Gone are the days when driving training was limited to reading pamphlets and a watch-n-learn attitude. Driving training is much more comprehensive than our outdated conventional methods. It's about learning the right attitudes and skills to keep you, as a driver, safe and confident on the road, simultaneously considering the safety of co-drivers and pedestrians. Only through research-backed techniques and methods can one fulfil the growing demand for skilled ‘smart’ drivers. This entails adopting a three-pronged approach that involves Classroom Training, Simulator Training and Behind the Wheel Training, and consistently working to enhance their communication skills and road etiquettes. To implement good training programmes, institutes need to update their infrastructure and adopt the technology-enabled curriculum to enhance the learning process.

Developing Non-Driving skills

Training programs should not only focus on developing strong core driving skills but also non-driving skills. Institutes should inculcate skills that are more than driving-. They should focus on enhancing life skills that actually help them become responsible, financially secure and socially conscious individuals. Through this, drivers can learn ways to make their work manageable, improving the efficiency of their mind and body.

Financial Management

Usually driving is not considered as an aspirational job- for most drivers, this is just a means to an end. Institutes should offer finance management as part of their curriculum, educating learners on investments and savings, to help them secure a better future for their children and families.

Wellness & Health

Driving continuous long distances is a stressful task and drivers should be instructed when to take breaks and naps. Stress management should be made mandatory, encouraging drivers to lead a proactive healthy lifestyle. Various exercises like yoga and meditation are known to improve drivers’ concentration, and reduce fatigue and stress. As part of their training, drivers should be given tips on a number of mandatory breaks, nap and maximum working hours etc.

Soft and Life Skills

These include a focus on communication skills, basic reading & writing, etiquette and overall awareness of social responsibility. Smart drivers follow a code of conduct while on the road and should be fully equipped to handle emergencies and incidents.

IT Skills

In this increasingly digital world, vehicles are also being upgraded with the latest technology. This is a call for smart drivers who are well-versed with technology. New-age driving training programs emphasize on developing IT skills that help drivers stay in sync with modern day demands. For example, drivers should be taught to access google maps on their smartphones to locate their destination conveniently.

The mind boggling road accident statistics coupled with a lack of professionally trained drivers in India highlights the lack of a streamlined approach in this field. Currently, there are many institutes have transformed this sector and are working to provide the country with capable, responsible smart drivers. While the future looks bright, it is imperative to understand that smart drivers not only contribute to better road safety but also to the growth of the economy.

Mr. Ajay Chhangani, Co-founder, Director and CEO of RISE INDIA