Twelve thousand volunteers throughout England, Scotland, Wales and Northern
Ireland are expected to take part in trials as part of the process to select
suitable filmed video clips of real life road scenes for the new hazard
perception test. The test is to be introduced as part of the theory test for all
driving test candidates in late 2002.
Robin Cummins, DSA's Chief Driving Examiner said "The trials involve
three groups of driver - the learner, the novice (between 3 and 24 months post
test driving experience) and the experienced driver (over 10 years experience).
We want people to take part in this important work so that we can see how they
respond to the different hazards of everyday driving."
The new test, which will form an additional part of the existing screen based
theory test, is intended to encourage learners to train to develop their
scanning and anticipation skills more thoroughly before attempting the driving
test.
Each hazard perception test will include a comprehensive range of hazards.
Test candidates will be shown up to 15 video clips and asked to indicate, by
pressing a button, when they first see a situation developing that may require
them, as a driver, to take some form of action.
The Driving Standards Agency (DSA) has filmed around 650 video film clips of
real life road scenes from a specially adapted vehicle over the past 10 months.
A wide variety of different locations around the country have been used, with
different road, weather and traffic conditions.
