“State-of-the-art” training has been provided to 50 lakh drivers in an effort to improve road safety in India.

Maruti Suzuki India Limited has achieved the milestone training the candidates in learner, refresher and evaluation courses at its network of driving training facilities: Maruti Suzuki Driving Schools (MDS) and Institutes of Driving and Traffic Research (IDTR).

“The milestone of 50 lakh trainees from Maruti Suzuki driving institutes is a testament of our commitment to road safety,” said Mr Ajay Kumar Tomer, Executive Advisor, CSR, Maruti Suzuki India Limited.

“Promoting safe driving is our collective social responsibility and we urge every responsible citizen to learn scientific way of driving and focus on technical and behavioural aspects of road safety.”

The driving initiatives were established in 2000 with the aim of providing best-in-class facilities for driving training and making Indian roads safer. The training facilities cater to “learner” as well as existing drivers for private and commercial vehicles.

The company has undertaken social initiatives targeting different aspects of road safety management and driving training. The driving schools are managed by the company’s dealers and the IDTRs are managed by the company in partnership with the respective State governments. Through the initiatives, global standards have been introduced for quality driving training, through a scientifically designed curriculum consisting of theory as well as practical training.

There are now 480 Maruti driving schools and seven IDTRs.