How to pass the Hazard perception part of the driving theory test?

Online, September 25, 2009 (Newswire.com) - Hazard perception introduction

New drivers are disproportionately involved in accidents, especially in the first months after passing a driving test. It has been proven that drivers who have taken hazard perception test training have much better hazard perception test skills.

Why the hazard perception test element was introduced?

The government is committed to reducing the numbers killed and seriously injured on Britain's roads by 40 per cent by 2010. The hazard perception element was introduced into the driving test in November 2002 as one of the measures that should help achieve this target by encouraging appropriate training in scanning the road, recognizing at the first opportunity from the clues that a potentially dangerous situation might arise and adopting a driving plan to reduce the risk.

During the development of this test, the Driving Standards Agency (DSA) worked closely with colleagues from the Transport Research Laboratory (TRL) and the road safety division of the Department for Transport, both of whom thought this test suitable for testing the hazard awareness skills of all drivers.

Hazard test introduction

Hazard perception test is the second part of the theory test and must be passed simultaneously with the multiple choice test.

This part of the theory test requires you to view 14 hazard video clips of approximately one minute each on your computer screen. You are required to watch these clips as if you were the driver. There will be 15 hazards to find - at least one on each clip. However, one clip will have 2 hazards. The hazard perception test clips will not contain any sound.

The clips feature various types of hazard, such as vehicles, pedestrians and road conditions. You should respond by pressing a mouse button as soon as you see a hazard developing that may result in the driver having to take some action, such as changing speed or direction. The earlier the developing hazard is spotted, and a response made, the higher the score.

Candidates can score up to five marks on each hazard and the test contains 15 score able hazards.
You click either the left or right mouse button whenever you think you can see a hazard developing. The speed at which you click the mouse button as a hazard develops will determine your score for that particular hazard perception clips. You can score a maximum of 5 marks per hazard test video clip.

The pass mark for this part of the test is 44 out of 75 (i.e. 15 hazard x 5) for car drivers and motorcycle riders.
Those taking LGV or PCV (lorry or bus) tests must score at least 50 out of 75.

Candidates are given their results when they have finished both parts of the test and have returned to the waiting room.

Hazard perception test examination process

Each hazard perception test video clip will start with a freeze frame and a count down from 10 will commence. At the end of the count down the clip will start to play and you will be required to click the mouse button each time you see a developing hazard.

To let you know that the program has registered your click, a red flag will appear on the grey band across the bottom of the screen - one flag for each click in a particular clip. At the end of the clip all the flags will be removed before you start the next clip.

Some useful Hazard perception tips to identify the Score able Hazard

As an example, of how to identify and respond to a developing hazard, consider a parked vehicle on the side of the road. When you first see it, it is not doing anything; it is just a parked vehicle. If you were to respond to the vehicle at this point, you would not score any marks, but you would not lose any marks.

However, when you get closer to the vehicle, you notice that the car's right hand indicator starts to flash. The indicator would lead you to believe that the driver of the vehicle has an intention of moving away, therefore the hazard is now developing and a response at this point would score marks. The indicator coming on is a sign that the parked vehicle has changed its status from a potential hazard into a developing hazard.

When you get closer to the vehicle, you will probably see the vehicle start to move away from the side of the road; another response should be made at this point. Different clips in the test will have various signs to indicate that the hazard is changing its status and is now starting to develop.

Although each clip contains several potential hazard only the one that materializes into a real hazard (one clip will have 2 hazards) and involves other road users is marked. This is known as a "developing hazard". Therefore you will only receive a score if you spot a hazard before it fully materializes and is brought about by the action of another road user. In a few instances it is difficult to determine when a potential hazard becomes a developing hazard and therefore when the scoring window should start.

This is why it is safer to click a few times as you see a hazard develop to make sure you don't click too early and miss the opening of this window.

Recognition of available clues and perception of danger are skills that are necessary in all drivers and riders, irrespective of the vehicle used. For this reason, the same version of the hazard perception test is used for all categories of test.

The above Hazard perception tips will help you identify the hazard early and get a higher score. For more details on the hazards to look out for, click on the following http://www.theory-test.co.uk/asp/hazard_perception_info.asp

Prepare for your Hazard perception online

You can prepare for your hazard perception online at http://www.theory-test.co.uk/asp/. There are 70+ hazard perception test video clips based on the actual DSA clips where you can practice innumerable hazard perception mock test. The mock test is similar to the actual DSA hazard perception test and covers all the possible hazards you might face on the road.