Amazon.co.uk Review
Now that the Hazard Perception test is part of the driving theory test, learners should seriously consider the
Driving Test Success Hazard Perception CD-ROM. You get over 100 video clips shot from the driver's viewpoint on two CDs depicting a wide range of potential hazards in all sorts of different driving conditions. The discs cover pedestrian, town, city, motorway, main road and rural hazards, so a clip might find you "driving" at night on a wet motorway, or negotiating a narrow street with badly parked cars or an unloading lorry, driving through fog, or negotiating roadworks, busy motorways and quiet country lanes. As each clip is played you have to watch the action carefully, clicking the left mouse button as soon as you see a developing hazard. You can click the mouse more than once (indeed, on some clips there's more than one hazard) but the software's clever enough to "watch" what you're doing, so that if you just click constantly in the hope of accidentally highlighting the hazard, it'll tell you you're cheating and give you no marks.
From the main menu you can practice on a video clip--these are chosen randomly--or take a mock-up of the test itself. There's a selection of tips and tricks to help you understand what a developing hazard is and how you should react to it and the program also helps you start to associate specific kinds of hazards with particular settings (for example, you're unlikely to find a parked ice-cream van on a motorway and thus, won't have to worry about children running out in front of it).
One important point to consider. The authors have confirmed that their video tests are functionally different to those you'll get in the actual exam room. For example, the DSA positions its camera on top of the car rather than inside--in addition, the invisible markers which dictate at what moment you should click to recognise an oncoming hazard and score high marks are slightly different. That aside, the program offers well-presented practice for learner drivers that will stand them in good stead when it's time to take the test. --Rob Beattie
Manufacturer's Description
Improve your Hazard Perception Skills Learner drivers are now required to pass the hazard perception test, which forms part of the driving theory test. In the hazard perception test learner drivers will be shown a series of video clips of real road scenes featuring potential hazards. Candidates will be tested on how soon they spot the dangers.
Hazards can be anything and can appear anywhere on our roads. The more practice you gain in recognising potential hazards, the better prepared you will be for both the test and real life. Use this unique collection of over 100 video clips covering a whole variety of different road situations to improve your hazard perception skills and become a safer driver.
Disc 1: Main Road, Motorway and Rural Hazards Disc 2: Pedestrian, Town and City Hazards
by John Miller
by Driving Standards Agency
