Now Assam has simulator for test drive, new testing track

Features of driving simulators

*     Provide basic training as well as enhance driving skill on light, medium and heavy vehicles.

*    Include intelligent traffic models in driving scenes.

*    Provide a variety of terrains and driving conditions

*    Record playback facility can be used to detect errors of each trainee

*    Impart safe driving techniques.

By our Staff Reporter

GUWAHATI, May 22: The State Transport Department took its first step towards producing defensive drivers today when it opened a driving simulator and a driving testing track, first of its kinds in the Northeast in any transport department, at its driving training school at Betkuchi in the city.  Opening the driving simulator and the driving testing track, State Transport Minister Ajit Singh said: "This is a step forward for producing skilled drivers in the state as the simulator's examition during test drives by trainee drivers is foolproof. The department still has much to do." In a light vein, Singh said: "The misfortune for me is that I'm the minister of both Transport and Excise. These two are like chalk and cheese. We know, drinking and driving don't mix."

Speaking on the occasion, Transport Secretary K Balaji said: "We'll take an action plan to boost the department within a year."

Kamrup DTO Gautam Das said: "The minister rightly said that drinking and driving don't mix. According to findings, the causes of 70 per cent accidents are drunk driving." Transport Additiol Chief Secretary VS Bhaskar, ASTC MD Khagen Chetia and others also spoke on the occasion.

Some of the key features of driving simulators are - they provide basic training as well as enhance driving skill on light, medium and heavy vehicles; include intelligent traffic models in driving scenes; provide a variety of terrains and driving conditions; record playback facility can be used to detect errors of each trainee; impart safe driving techniques; etc.