In a first for the nation, a specially created course with two credit points called "Driving Skills and Road Safety Awareness" has been launched in Pune. This course, developed by the Pune Regional Transport Office (RTO) and Driving Schools' Association, is open to all students and is offered at the G H Raisoni College of Engineering and Management (GHRCEM), Pune.

Maharashtra transport commissioner Vivek Bhimanwar who inaugurated the course said that it was a matter of pride for the state to start the first-of-its-kind course not only in Maharashtra but across India for road safety awareness. 

Bhimanwar said that 80% of the people who lose their lives in road accidents are in the age group of 18 to 35 years, which is our young population. He added that we cannot be a world superpower if we do not save each and every life. He stated that tests conducted after every accident reveal that almost 90% of the accidents were avoidable.

Campus director professor Kharadkar said that apart from the technical college and engineering courses, it is necessary to work for the overall development of students. Therefore, it was decided to introduce this course. The student who successfully completes this 18-hour course will receive two credit points. 

The main reason for creating this course for college students is to help them comprehend scientific driving techniques, various modes of transportation, and vehicle categories; reasons why accidents happen on the road; defensive driving techniques; and most importantly, to make road safety awareness a skill with employment opportunities.