Hazard Perception
This test shows video clips on the same computer screen that was used for the multiple choice questions.
- There are 14 video clips.
- You respond to hazards on the video by clicking the mouse button.
- 13 clips have one hazard.
- Just to be sneaky, one clip has two hazards.
- This makes a total of 15 hazards.
- Each hazard scores a maximum 5 points, giving a maximum score of 75 (15 times 5).
- You will have to score at least 44 to pass.
- You should aim to score at least three on each hazard, which would give you a score of 45.
- It doesn't matter where the mouse pointer is! The timing of the click is important, not the position of the mouse.
What is a hazard?
A hazard is anything which could make you change your speed or direction. Hazards are sometimes classified into three types:
- Static (not moving: bends, parked cars, road works, and similar).
- Moving (pedestrians, cyclists, traffic, dogs, other animals, and so on).
- Road and weather conditions (low sun, ice, snow, spray, rain and fog are examples).
Developing hazards
To pass the hazard perception test you need to spot developing hazards. A developing hazard is something which is going to cause you, the driver, a problem. Imagine approaching a parked car. This static hazard is easy to spot. You might click at this point. But what if the parked car starts to move off as you are about to pass? This would be a developing hazard, and it is at this moment you should click the mouse to respond.
Another example: You see a sign warning you of pedestrians walking in the road. This is a hazard, but only develops when you see pedestrians just after a bend in the road. You should click for the sign, but you will score when you click for the pedestrians.
Click!
Figure 1 represents one video clip, around 60 seconds long. During each clip you may see many hazards, shown as "X"s. You should click on each hazard. Only one of these hazards will change into a developing hazard - the "O".
Click! Click!
In Figure 2 we enlarge the time scale. The "O" shows the same developing hazard (around one and a half seconds). If you click too early, you will score zero. Click at exactly the right time, and you score 5. Click a little later, you score 4... and so on. Click very late, and you score zero. That is why I recommend that you click as soon as you see the hazard (when you would check the mirrors if you were driving). Click again as soon as you realize the hazard is developing (when you would signal). And click again if you are sure it is a hazard which requires you to take action (brakes and / or steering). Using this method, you should maximise your chance of scoring 4 or 5.
Cheat!
If you click repeatedly, at regular intervals, you may score zero for that clip. Experiment with your software, to learn the difference between clicking on every hazard, and clicking unnecessarily.