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Learning car driving made a joy in Kolkata
by Ajitha Menon

      Kolkata: Those who want to learn car driving in Kolkata need no longer be scared of accidents and put up with remarks of passers-by. Learning car driving has been made easy with the installation of a car simulator in the city. One can learn car driving in sanitized comfort inside a car simulator in Kolkata. The Automobile Association of Eastern India (AAEI) has installed the Rs.1.5 million worth car simulator within its premises for those interested to learn driving in a scientific manner. The simulator teaches the student to drive over a range of terrains and during different climates without being physically pitted against adverse situations and conditions. The simulator, introduced in West Bengal for the first time, promises to set new benchmarks in driving-training by imparting scientifically designed lessons. Designed to look like a prototype of a car with brake, accelerator, steering, clutch and gear in place, the contraption offers a computerized driving experience by simulating real-life regular and adverse conditions. Even those who already know driving can test their driving skills in foggy and snowy weather, say before setting out on a trip to countries like the UK. While the visual instructions and simulations are carried out through three LCDs (Liquid crystal display) placed before the trainee driver, stereophonic representations of surrounding traffic noise, engine and voice instructions provide a high degree of reality to the driver. Configured with an instruction station (Instructor Operative System) for continuous monitoring of the trainee's driving, the simulator points out mistakes and issues a detailed performance evolution report at the end of the each session. "We have adopted international methods of training to prevent road accidents. The simulator would help drivers adopt technically correct and safe driving practices and it would reduce chances of road accidents, which have become a major problem. Right now, people who acquire licenses hardly have proper knowledge about driving, leading to accidents," according to Suman Chattopadhyay, Honorary Secretary General, Automobile Association of Eastern India. The simulator teaches one to drive safely in the cities as well as hill areas. Any mistakes are immediately flashed onscreen for a quick review. " There are three instruction menus for training. There are cockpit drill, basic and advanced training. Cockpit drill familiarizes the driver with the inbuilt accessories in the car through graphics to increase his knowledge. In basic and advanced training one learns things like starting the car, off-on, left turn, U-turns. We have four sessions for Cockpit, Basic and Advance and four sessions for on-road driving. This includes, city, hill, snow hill conditions. After driving one can see the performance report and be guided how to avoid the mistakes," said Ramsundar Saha, the instructor. The AAEI has brought the simulator from Mumbai. Apart from Kolkata, Delhi, Mumbai and Ahmedabad have already introduced simulators to teach driving. AAEI charges Rs.3,500 for the entire course that includes four sessions of 45 minutes each on the simulator and four practical driving lessons on Kolkata roads . The package includes the charges for the final test and driving license. Gargi Chakraborty, a student, feels that it's a relaxing experience to learn driving through the stimulator, as one can experience road conditions without being out on the streets.
-April 19, 2009

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