Passmaster Intensive

Hazard Perception Test


14 video clips, one clip with two hazards to be identified.

Research has shown that the ability to recognise and react to developing hazards is a major influence in the avoidance of accidents. New drivers are involved in 29% of all accidents yet comprise only 10% of drivers. (DSA) A new driver naturally has not yet honed the subliminal skill of predicting hazards that comes with experience. Thus the Hazard Perception part of the test is to attempt to show the learner the type of situation to constantly be aware of.

What is a developing hazard?

A “developing hazard” is a situation that is likely to, or does, make you react. Hazards and potential hazards change over time, some failing to materialise as a hazard others developing to require you to take some action to avoid an accident, i.e. slow down, change lanes or break.

How the test works

In the video clip there will be potential and actual developing hazards. You should click on all perceived hazards. The actual hazard is the only scoring hazard.  On the actual hazard there is a time line across the hazard divided into 5 equal length-scoring sections in which a mouse click would gain a score of 5, 4, 3, 2, 1,or 0 depending on how quickly you recognise and respond to the developing hazard and therefore which of the scoring segments your click fell within. A click outside – before the 1st frame or after the last frame will score 0 points. Many experienced drivers, police advanced drivers and training ADI’s fail, as there response is so early they are outside the time frame! Thus a calm relaxed approach is advised and do not rapidly double of treble click as the computer will deem that to be cheating and you will score 0 for that frame.

Before the video starts.

When each clip cues up ready to play, the screen will show the clip as a still and give you a 10 second before running. Use this time to familiarise yourself with the scenario. Think what the possible hazards could be in the surroundings. Look for road conditions, weather, traffic, pedestrians and surroundings.

During a video clip When you think you spot the hazard in a clip click once as soon as you spot it. A marker (flag) will appear at the bottom of the screen to show the system has accepted the click and recorded it. It does not mean you have identified correctly just that you have clicked and the system has recorded it. If you have any doubt that you may have clicked in time then click again to be sure – but not rapid clicking.

If the hazard changes in nature or becomes more serious,click again. Avoid clicking quickly and avoid clicking throughout the clip as the program may decide that you are cheating and give you a 0 score for that clip.

One of the clips that you will be shown will contain two scoring hazards. Many of the clips contain several hazards you may consider important, be aware that not all are scoring hazards, but you have no way of knowing which have been judged to be developing hazards and which are minor, so click to indicate that you have observed ANY hazard that appears in the clip.

Cheating

Do not even think about it, however to assure the software will not deem you to have cheated:

  • Stay calm and relaxed when clicking
  • In general try to click as few times as possible. Make sure you click on everything that looks as if it is developing into a hazard.
  • Do not click in any form of a pattern.
  • Avoid clicking 2 or 3 times in rapid succession.

 

Things to look out for

As with actual driving you must take in the whole scene. Do not fixate on one area of the screen. Try to take in the whole scene. Try to anticipate where a hazard might develop. If it looks as if it’s developing then click to indicate you have noticed it, if the hazard develops click again.

Hazard perception

The potential hazards you should look out for:

General

  • Road signs, they often relate to a hazard ahead.
  • Pedestrians i.e. Walkers, children playing, walking sticks.
  • Cyclists and motorbikes - more difficult to see - particularly young cyclists.
  • Emergency vehicles.
  • Poor visibility – especially bright sun low in sky, dusk, rain/spray.
  • Poor road conditions. Rain, fog ice and snow.
  • Blind bends.
  • Lane changing – especially vehicles swerving to avoid hazards.
  • Brake lights on vehicles 1, 2, 3 vehicles in front.
  • Indicators.

Residential streets

  • Urban driving
  • Cars pulling out.
  • Children playing near road.
  • Pedestrians stepping out from behind cars.
  • Vehicles pulling out of side roads. Especially those vehicles with restricted views.
  • Pedestrians crossing roads without due care and attention i.e. at zebra/pelican crossings.
  • Cars stopping to park.
  • Oncoming traffic.
  • Traffic restrictions.
  • Being forced out to the middle of the road by parking.

Road near school

  • Children playing near the road – especially ball games.
  • Children crossing without looking.
  • Crossing patrols and other forms of crossings.
  • Children cycling on pavements.
  • Ice cream vans.

Country roads

  • Single lane roads.
  • Farm traffic. Gateways.
  • Animals, especially horses and riders, cows and sheep.
  • Blind bends.
  • Objects in the road especially manure, mud, hay and water.
  • Pedestrians walking against the traffic.

Motorways

  • Cars breaking down.
  • Cars leaving the motorway.
  • Cars changing lanes to overtake slower moving traffic.
  • Cars joining the motorway.
  • Emergency vehicles.
  • Stationary traffic/ road works/ contra flows.
  • Traffic travelling much more quickly or much more slowly than your vehicle.