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Youth for Road Safety – Defensive Driving Training Programme
January 23
Tentative Date: To be announced
Occasion: National Road Safety Month 2026
Venue: TBF, IIT Madras
Duration: Half-Day
Organised by: Centre of Excellence for Road Safety (CoERS), IIT Madras
Overview
The Youth for Road Safety – Defensive Driving Training Programme is organised by the Centre of Excellence for Road Safety (CoERS), IIT Madras, as part of National Road Safety Month 2026. The programme aims to equip college students with foundational skills in defensive driving, fostering responsible attitudes and safety-conscious behaviour on Indian roads.
Young road users are among the most vulnerable on Indian roads. According to the 2023 Road Accidents in India Report by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, 25.5% of total road accident fatalities involve individuals below 25 years of age. Limited driving experience, low hazard perception, and risk-prone decision-making increase their exposure to road crashes.
This programme emphasises anticipatory and preventive driving skills, focusing on hazard recognition, safe space management, speed control, and responsible decision-making. It prepares students to manage dynamic traffic environments safely and encourages adherence to traffic rules as a safety habit rather than just a legal requirement.
Participants
- College Students
- Young road users seeking to improve their driving safety and awareness
Programme Highlights
- Core principles of defensive driving and anticipatory risk management
- Hazard perception and conflict prediction exercises
- Safe following distance, lane discipline, and speed management
- Responsible behaviour regarding distraction, fatigue, and emotional driving
- Case studies and guided discussions to reinforce practical understanding
Tentative Programme Schedule
| Time | Programme |
| 09:00 am | Registration and seating |
| 09:15 am | Welcome address and programme overview |
| 09:30 am | Context setting: Road safety risks among youth |
| 09:35 am | Introduction to defensive driving: |
| 09:45 am | Special Address by Professor Venkatesh Balasubramanian |
| 09:55 am | Theory Session |
| 11:15 am | Case scenarios and guided discussion |
| 11:30 am | Key takeaways and behavioural commitments |
| 11:40 am | Feedback and session closure |
Expected Outcomes
- Understanding the concept and importance of defensive driving
- Ability to identify common road hazards and anticipate conflicts
- Application of safe following distance, lane discipline, and speed control
- Awareness of the impact of distractions, fatigue, and emotions on driving safety
- Improved decision-making and risk management as responsible road users