Maruti Suzuki Young Driver 2012 Contest receives 21,000 registrations

June 25, 2012: The Maruti Suzuki Autocar Young Driver Contest 2012 has received a very good response in its fourth season with a handsome 21,000 registrations received from youngsters in the 18-30 age group. The countrywide split of the registrations is 6900, 6100, 5800 and 2,300 in the Northern, Southern, Western and Eastern regions respectively.

The growing popularity of the competition, which tests the competitors’ knowledge of traffic rules, road safety awareness along with their real-world driving skills, sees two new categories being added this year -- one exclusively for women, and the other for corporates. According to Mayank Pareek, COO - Sales & Marketing, Maruti Suzuki India, “The impressive response this year shows that the level of awareness regarding road safety has risen remarkably among the youth. For over a decade, Maruti Suzuki has been working on road safety and safe driving through a number of nationwide initiatives. We strongly believe that the involvement of youth will act as a catalyst towards taking up safe driving habits, as they are the key drivers of any change.”

The online registration process for the contest closed on June 8. The first stage of the selection process is an online driving skill test. Those who clear the online test enter the next stage of a theory and practical test at one of the Maruti Driving Schools (MDS) conducted across 110 such schools across 65 cities. The finalists then get a chance to prove their mettle at the Institute of Driving and Traffic Research, New Delhi. The contest winner, who is appointed a ‘Safety Ambassador’ to promote safe driving, wins a Maruti A-star.

The competition is organised by Maruti Suzuki in association with Autocar India, Autocar Professional’s sister magazine.