Honda puts its best foot forward by offering to teach driving on their own terms—and on their own specialized track
HOW many neophyte drivers received a shock to the system upon finding out they had to roll out into the Metro’s wild roads on their very first driving lesson?
Carmaker Honda has its own novel solution: Teach drivers with their own certified teachers and on their own track before taking them out on the streets.
The Honda Safety Driving Center or HSDC is a non-profit endeavor of three different Honda branches: Thailand-based Asian Honda Motor Co., Ltd, motorcycle arm Honda Philippines, Inc., and Honda Cars Philippines, Inc. The pride and joy of HSDC is its 2.4-hectare facility in Parañaque.
“HSDC operates a world-class training facility where proper safety mindset and skills are developed in a safe and controlled environment,” explains HSDC’s Pamela Dacanay. “To achieve this, a participatory approach is employed to make the learning experience highly-effective. Learners get to experience dangers in a controlled environment that will prepare them for their daily battles on the road.”
The sprawling Parañaque facility features an 18,100-meter training track complete with traffic lights, inclines and merging lanes as well as motorcycle-dedicated courses. “Recognizing the weather condition and debris-filled terrain in the country, HSDC integrated a wet surface braking course and a dirt course so that proper handling of motorcycles and automobiles may be taught in a safe and controlled environment,” Dacanay explains. “These features are a first in an Asian country outside Japan.”
It was important to emphasize motorcycle safety as well as car safety due to the rising number of motorcycles and scooters. “We can no longer ignore this segment because they have become a significant a part of the Philippine traffic network,” Dacanay says. “Unfortunately, there is also a dramatic rise in traffic accidents that comes with this phenomenal growth.”
The HSDC currently offers the following courses: Basic Motorcycle Learners Safety Course, P2,000 for 20 hours; Automobile Learners Safety Course, P10,000 for 20 hours; Motorcycle Intermediate Course, P1,400 for 10 hours; Automobile Intermediate Course, P6,300 for 10 hours; Fleet Safety Riding Clinic, P1,350; and Fleet Safety Driving Clinic, P3,500.
Dacanay adds that HSDC has already trained thousands of motorists. “Many people up to now still think that HSDC is exclusive to Honda users. But HSDC is open to all regardless of brand preference,” she clarifies. “We even welcome other makes who may wish to use our facility for their own safety promotion programs.”
Ultimately, Filipino drivers need to be more disciplined on the road. “Accidents and traffic jams are brought about by not having the proper mindset,” Dacanay says. “What Filipinos need to understand is that driving a vehicle comes with a very big responsibility. It’s like driving a ton of glass, rubber and steel that can maim and kill.”
The Honda Safety Driving Center is located at Km 17 East Service Road, South Superhighway, Parañaque City, with tel. no. 838-0814 or through mobile no. (0928) 555-5695.
