Akito Tachibana, Managing Director, Toyota Kirloskar Motor, inaugurates the new Toyota Driving school at Lanson Toyota , Pallikaranai Branch, Chennai on May 25th, 2016.

In a bid to ensure good driving skills through proper training methods, Toyota Kirloskar Motor has begun opening driver training schools in India.

The carmaker opened the Toyota Driving School in Chennai, its first in Tamil Nadu and fourth in India. The new driving school is managed by the company’s leading dealership, Lanson Toyota.

The company had opened its first driving school in March 2015 in Lucknow, followed by similar projects in Hyderabad and Kochi.

To bring down the rising numbers of road accidents caused largely due to human error in India, the brand has brought in training modules and will integrate technical expertise along with enhancing behavioral skills to create awareness about safety nationwide.

The comprehensive curriculum comprises of high-quality driver training programme and practical training models like a driver simulator. To make this experience as realistic as possible, Toyota has incorporated features like IP, steering and seats of an Etios car. Toyota Driving School also ensures that every student, who undergoes this training with certified teachers, clears the tests as a responsible and safe driver.

The key highlights of the curriculum include traffic management, rules and road discipline, safe and right driving concepts, simulation of driving a real vehicle before getting on the road, all aspects of practical driving on the road, driving in various road and climatic conditions, basic car maintenance and repair and emergency handling.

Akito Tachibana, managing director, Toyota Kirloskar Motor, said: “We plan to set up 50 such driving schools across the country by 2020. The launch of our driving school is a big opportunity for us to come closer to customers with a solution for road safety. We aim to be the best driving schools in India. Our focus will not be just issuing a driving licence, but much more of a place that follows a comprehensive approach, ensuring every single student becomes a responsible driver on road.”

Speaking on the Occasion Mr. Lankalingam ,MD,Lanson Toyota, said, "the launch of the Toyota Driving School is one more step in the commitment of Toyota Motor Corporation to shape a better future for the next generations."

He further added, "the Elite Driving School is yet another of Lanson’s CSR initiatives and our next big step towards our goal of total safety. It is our effort to teach this concept of through right driving and safe driving to meet the challenges of increasing vehicle density and the risk posed by ignorant and negligent drivers."

Speaking on Lanson Toyota's ideology, he further added, "Safe Driving for Life for self and to other road users is our philosophy and our objective is to sensitise Students on safety of co-drivers and pedestrians on roads by imparting Formal Driving Discipline with “Safety First” attitude. The simulator model so prevalent in developed countries not only give the confidence to the students but also reduce accidents so caused during the pre-driving license time."

The simulator, a key part of the teaching program, is expected to provide hands-on experience. A learner can practice all car controls like steering, accelerator, brake and gearshifts before moving on to a real-world vehicle. The simulator also creates various road and weather conditions like fog, dim light, uphill and downhill terrain.

This is also the first car simulator in India with full high definition computer graphics in an immersive curved projection environment and the first with a complete car cabin along with gears. There is also extensive local language support for effective training and extensive session for new and advanced drivers.

TKM, which has a sharp focus on safety, has been engaged in road safety initiatives since 2005 through various all-India campaigns. The company says it has engaged with over 600,000 students across the country through its Toyota Safety Education programme.

Also present at the occasion from TKM were Mr. Amakasu (Sr. VP), Jaishankar (DMD), Mr. Balaji (GM), Mr.Venkat (GM) and Reeta Lankalingam (JMD), Lanson Toyota. The chief guest for the event was Dr. Rajaram (IAS – Retd), Honorable member – Tamil Nadu Public Service Commission.