Toyota Kirloskar Motor Concludes the Second Year of Annual Toyota Safety Education Programme in Bangalore, and Continues to Drive Road Safety Awareness across India

Toyota Kirloskar Motor Concludes the Second Year of Annual Toyota Safety Education Programme in Bangalore, and Continues to Drive Road Safety Awareness across India

Bangalore, 18th January 2025: In a dedicated effort to enhance road safety awareness, Toyota Kirloskar Motor (TKM) has been steadfastly working towards creating safer roads through its flagship initiative, the Toyota Safety Education Programme (TSEP) – “Road Safety – My Right, My Responsibility.” Continuing this commitment, TKM announced the successful culmination of the second year of its inaugural batch at the Annual TSEP event, held for the second consecutive year in Bangalore.

The event was graced by the presence of Chief Guest Dr. N V Prasad, IAS – Secretary, Transport & Labour Department, Government of Karnataka, along with senior leadership from TKM – Mr. B Padmanabha, Executive Vice President, Manufacturing. Designed with the mission to instil a strong sense of road responsibility among future road users, TSEP strategically engages school children, empowering them to become road safety ambassadors and advocates within their communities.

Following the successful culmination of today’s event in Bangalore, the TSEP is poised to expand to other major cities in 2025, with sessions scheduled in Delhi on 7th February, a second batch in Bangalore on 8th February, and Mumbai on 11th February. This year, the program aims to engage over 70,000 school children and 600 teachers across 140 schools in these cities and will remain steadfast in its pursuit of zero road fatalities, empowering future generations to lead India toward safer and more responsible road usage.

TKM’s holistic approach to safety is built on its “Real World Safety” philosophy, integrating safe vehicle manufacturing, user education, and improvements to traffic environments to tackle India’s pressing road safety challenges​.  Launched in 2007, TSEP continues to be a cornerstone of TKM’s road safety initiatives, reaching over 800,000 students nationwide. The program adopts a “Child to Community” approach, empowering school children to act as road safety ambassadors within their families and communities.  TSEP follows a unique and impactful ABC Approach—focusing on raising Awareness about road safety rules, encouraging positive Behavioural Change, and driving engagement through impactful Campaigns. This comprehensive framework is designed to instil a deep understanding of road safety practices among students, fostering responsible behaviour and long-term commitment to safer road usage. Beyond student engagement, TSEP also empowers schools by providing structured road safety training for teachers, enhancing their capacity to educate and guide students on this critical issue. Moreover, the program serves as a catalyst for integrating road safety education into school curricula, ensuring sustained learning and community impact.

A standout feature of the event was the creative participation of students, who enthusiastically engaged in various activities such as poster-making, skits, songs, Mad Ads, and fact-based video presentations. These interactive formats provided students with a platform to showcase innovative ideas and solutions for promoting road safety, making the learning process both informative and enjoyable.

The program’s impact has been clearly measurable, with evaluations showing a substantial rise in road safety awareness. Awareness levels among participants increased from 39% to 60% in the first year and from 59% to 77% in the second year. These results highlight the program’s effectiveness in instilling critical road safety knowledge and influencing positive behavioural change.

To foster ongoing engagement, each participating school established dedicated Road Safety Clubs, guided by teachers. These clubs served as hubs for peer-to-peer learning, enabling students to collaborate and actively participate in sustaining road safety initiatives within their schools. With enthusiastic participation from schools and teachers in the TSEP program and their commitment to driving the initiative forward, TKM extends heartfelt gratitude to all partner schools for their invaluable support. The event also highlighted featured safety and award ceremonies to honour the exceptional efforts of students, teachers, and schools. Their innovative and creative contributions have played a vital role in amplifying the program’s impact and spreading its message to a broader audience.

Present at the occasion, the Chief Guest – Dr. N V Prasad, IAS – Secretary, Transport & Labour Department, Government of Karnataka, said, “The Toyota Safety Education Programme is an exemplary initiative that demonstrates how sustained education and community engagement can bring about meaningful change in society. By focusing on school children, TKM has strategically tapped into the most influential segment of our population—the youth—who can inspire and lead change within their families and neighbourhoods. The creativity and enthusiasm showcased by the students today are a testament to how well-structured programs like TSEP can nurture awareness and responsibility at a young age. Toyota’s proactive approach in integrating education with actionable community outreach sets a benchmark for how corporations can contribute to national safety goals. I am confident that initiatives like TSEP will play a pivotal role in building a safer and more responsible society for future generations.”

Sharing his thoughts, Mr. B Padmanabha, Executive Vice President, Manufacturing, Toyota Kirloskar Motor, “At Toyota Kirloskar Motor, safety is not just a feature we build into our vehicles—it is a responsibility that extends to every aspect of our engagement with society. Through TSEP, we are committed to empowering the younger generation with the knowledge and skills they need to become responsible road users. By instilling the principles of road safety early on, we aim to create a ripple effect that influences families, schools, and communities at large. Our holistic approach combines cutting-edge vehicle safety technologies with proactive educational initiatives like TSEP to address the broader challenges of road safety in India. This program reflects Toyota’s deep-rooted philosophy of creating lasting value for society, and we are proud to see the enthusiasm and creativity that students bring to this cause.”

Since 2001, TKM has been actively contributing to community development through diverse initiatives spanning Education, Environment, Road Safety, Skill Development, Health, Hygiene, and Disaster Management. Through various sustained social efforts, TKM has positively impacted the lives of over 2.3 million people, reinforcing its commitment to building safer, healthier, and more empowered communities.