Tiruvannamalai RTO gets Automated Driving Test Track for two-wheelers, cars

As part of enhancing road safety to prevent accidents and to modernise the driving license testing process, an Automated Driving Test Track (ADTT) was inaugurated by Deputy Speaker of Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly K. Pitchandi at the Regional Transport Office (RTO) in Tiruvannamalai town.

RTO officials said that the existing manual testing of driving skills for beginners was started way back in 1989 when the district was bifurcated from Vellore. “The new automated driving test track helps prevent human bias during the testing process. It also acts as a record for future references,” K. Karunanidhi, RTO (Tiruvannamalai) told The Hindu.

Spread over 5,000 sq.ft inside the spacious RTO premises, which is around 5.5 acres, near Arunachaleswara temple, the new testing track was built at a cost of Rs 1,9 crore. It is equipped with advanced sensors and CCTV cameras to ensure transparent and error-free evaluation.

The new facility also has a separate computerized monitoring room for motor vehicle inspectors , RTO and transport officials to check the driving skills of applicants online. At the new testing track, an ‘8’-shaped track for two-wheelers and an ‘H’-shaped track for light motor vehicles, especially cars, has been laid.

Sensors have been installed around these markings. A beep sound will tigger when the applicant goes off track during the test. A re-test will be conducted for applicants, who fail thrice in the automated track after a gap of a week. “The new automated test track helps beginners to learn driving skills perfectly. It helps create awareness on accident-free driving among applicants,” said B. Kaviarasu, a motorist.

Every day, on an average, around 20 driving tests for two-wheelers and light vehicles each have been conducted at the RTO in the town. With the introduction of automated testing track, RTO officials said that the total number of unqualified applicants will increase as only skilled drivers will get qualified under the new computerised process. In other words, the process will help prevent accidents by bringing in more skilled drivers.