IIT Madras Centre of Excellence Unveils Groundbreaking Program for India’s Driving Schools
On October 11, 2022, Shankar Jiwal, IPS, DGP of Tamil Nadu Police, inaugurated the 3STP in the presence of IIT Madras’s director.
The Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Madras, through its Centre of Excellence for Road Safety (CoERS), has introduced a comprehensive ‘Three-Step Training Process’ (3STP). The official launch of this initiative took place during an event titled ‘Capacity Building and Quality Standards for Driver Training – Integrating the Human Element in the Pursuit of Safer Roads.’ Held at the IIT Madras campus, the program aims to address the disparity between current trainers within Driver Training Institutes and the capacity of schools to enhance the assessment of drivers’ knowledge, skills, and practical abilities. CoERS’s pioneering effort will not only bolster the employment prospects of proficient trainers but also establish a rating system for driver training institutes and schools. This system will ensure that drivers undergo essential training to cultivate responsible and secure on-road practices.
On October 11, 2022, the commencement of the 3STP occurred, inaugurated by Shankar Jiwal, IPS, Director General of Police for Tamil Nadu, alongside V Kamakoti, Director of IIT Madras. This milestone event also featured the introduction of the ‘3 Gate Licensing System’ (3GL), which assesses drivers on three distinct criteria: their theoretical knowledge (Gate 1), driving prowess in simulated scenarios (Gate 2), and practical application of skills in real-world situations (Gate 3). Highlighting the pressing need for such initiatives, the ‘Road Accidents in India 2021’ report published by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) revealed that human error, encompassing traffic violations, unlicensed driving, and the disregard for helmets and seat belts, contributed to over 80 percent of accidents. A 2016 MoRTH report on road accidents in India also underscored driver error as the cause behind approximately 84% of crashes in the country.
CoERS receives funding from MoRTH and is dedicated to imparting immersive and consistent education to upcoming adults regarding optimal road safety protocols. Collaborating with M/s Red Chariots Technologies Private Limited and receiving backing from SNS Foundation and M/s HL MandoAnand India Limited, the influencer training program employs simulator-based instruction for over 2,000 drivers in the Greater Chennai region. Reflecting on these efforts, V Kamakoti, the Director of IIT Madras, emphasized the institution’s commitment to the ‘IIT Madras for All’ initiative, which has led to the launch of numerous programs. Acknowledging the rapid advancements in technologies like autonomous driving, Kamakoti highlighted the time-intensive nature of comprehending such innovations. He underscored the paramount significance of driver training, positioning this initiative as a crucial stride towards the right direction.
Thiru Shankar Jiwal, IPS, Director General of Police for Tamil Nadu, expressed his congratulations to Prof. Venkatesh Balasubramanian and the other stakeholders involved in the creation of this report. He acknowledged the extensive efforts that have been invested in addressing road safety concerns. Despite the presence of empirical and statistical studies, Jiwal noted a disparity between the two. He highlighted a significant reduction in the number of accidents over the past two years – around 11 percent last year and approximately 8 percent this year. However, he pointed out that understanding the precise cause and effect behind these changes remains a perplexing challenge. He welcomed academic institutions, particularly initiatives like CoERS, to contribute in unraveling this enigma and providing insights into these trends.
