Dehradun/New Delhi: In a significant move to enhance road safety in Uttarakhand, Hon’ble Chief Minister, Shri Pushkar Singh Dhami, inaugurated Automated Driving Test Tracks (ADTTs) in Haridwar and Rishikesh set up by Maruti Suzuki under its CSR initiative.
ADTTs are equipped with high-definition cameras and integrated IT systems to conduct driving license evaluations without human intervention. This technology ensures a more comprehensive, efficient, and transparent testing process for driving license seekers. Evaluation at ADTTs is done in line with the Central Motor Vehicle Rules (CMVR).
Both these new ADTTs will cater to driving license testing for Light Motor Vehicle (LMV) and 2-wheelers. In addition to the automation of these two ADTTs, Maruti Suzuki has operated an ADTT in Dehradun since 2019. This facility won accolades from the Hon’ble Chief Minister of Uttarakhand for Excellence and Good Governance in 2019-2020.
Dedicating the facility to the State, Shri Brijesh Kumar Sant (IAS), Secretary Transport, Uttarakhand Government, said, “We are committed to making Uttarakhand’s roads safer, and Maruti Suzuki’s ADTTs are an important enabler in this direction. Our association with Maruti Suzuki goes back to 2009, when the Institute of Driving and Traffic Research was established in Dehradun. With the comprehensive evaluation at ADTTs, we can ensure that only skilled drivers get a driving license. Another state-run road safety initiative where we work with Maruti Suzuki is refresher training for commercial drivers before the Char Dham yatra (holy pilgrimage). I also compliment the Company for steering this training programme, which helps prepare drivers for the yatra route.”
Mr. Rahul Bharti, Senior Executive Officer, Corporate Affairs, Maruti Suzuki India Limited, said, “We thank the Uttarakhand Government for their continued association with Maruti Suzuki. Under the visionary leadership of Hon’ble Chief Minister, Shri Pushkar Singh Dhami, Dev Bhoomi Uttarakhand is rapidly progressing. One of the key growth drivers for the State is tourism. Efficient and skilled drivers are needed to boost tourism and contribute to safer roads. Our Automated Driving Test Tracks (ADTTs) can play a vital role in achieving this goal by ensuring that only skilled and competent drivers receive a license through a 100 per cent computerised, transparent, and efficient testing process.”
He added, “Every year, just before the Char Dham yatra (holy pilgrimage), we undertake a refresher training for commercial drivers in Uttarakhand. This prepares the drivers for hilly terrains on the yatra route. This training is one of the qualifiers for the mandatory Green Card required for all commercial drivers during the yatra. This year, we plan to cover about 11,000 drivers in the refresher driving training at IDTRs.”
Better prepared and skilled drivers on the roads:
Due to automated testing process, an initial decline is usually observed in the pass percentage of driving license seekers at ADTTs. This is followed by a gradual increase in pass rate, as the applicants come better prepared, ensuring only skilled drivers receive a license. In case of Dehradun ADTT, the pass percentage declined to 60 per cent in FY 2019-20, which has progressively improved to 69 per cent.