DSA/DVLA proposes MORE firey hoops to jump through

[Itchy]

https://www.theregister.co.uk/2009/02/10/dsa_3d/

As above the DSA/DVLA are considering beefing up the hazard perception test (and no doubt increase the fees) with 3d animated hazards which presumably can be tailored to suit many situations that you can't replicate on the road....

Boot note:

I find the haz perception to be totally worthless anyway as its completely unrealistic ie you don't just look forward you turn your head and you are missing your periferal vision completely.

And its pretty damning when experienced drivers and riders can't pass the hazard test anyway like Ged who consistantly fails it and has driven for 30 years and has all the Rospa , IOAM qualifications.
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Spain 2008France 2007Big one 2009 We all die. The goal isn't to live forever, the goal is to create something that will. In the end, your life will flash before your eyes. Make sure it is worth watching.

[12noon]

Oh wonderful. I've failed my theory test twice now because of the silly observation part. I spent all week on the computer at home before my last attempt. BTW I've been riding motorbikes for years on L plates (back to when you could ride a 250cc) and not had one accident. This observation thingy is just too hit and miss.

[daemonoid]

[amnesia]

I think the Hazard Perception test is clearly aimed at 17 year olds that have zero road sense, which is fair enough.


My opinion on it is leave it well alone, and stop people riding unaccompanied after just a CBT. Lunacy.


That would go someway to reducing the number of accidents I think.
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25/7 I'm a God-damn Rock Star
"Arguing about the best 125 is like arguing which Spice Girl could sing best"

[Itchy]

[amnesia]

[multijoy]

I'd been driving for over a decade before I took mine in order to get my A entitlement, and the only training I took was the free dvd the DSA sent.

Passed first time with no issues.

I can't see where the problem is, myself. Granted, it took me a few minutes to resist looking for the non existent wing mirrors, but I got over it.

As to the use of dynamically generated material, provided the marking systems are fair and well publicised there shouldn't be an issue. Anything that's more immersive than a selection of clips can only be a bonus.

However, like the practical test, the examination is looking for you to tick specific boxes which only reflect certain best practices which are often in direct opposition to advanced rider techniques. It's impossible (in my view) to assess all the possible observation techniques using non-interactive video clips- it's quite possible that the dynamic generation of test material might actually improve the pass rate amongst experienced & advanced drivers.

That said, some people just don't perform well in tests and no amount of tweaking will change that.
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'11 CBF1000A, '99 C90, '98 CB500
silky666: He rode amazingly well considering his bike is the weight of a small van and had slicks on.

[Skudd]

[daemonoid]

[chrisjacks]

i passed all my car tests 2 years ago and took my bike theory last month and got 66 out of 75 i didnt think it was thsat hard. though i see it as as utter waste of time. i think there should be a system where by like you can only take your test after getting all a list of sectiosn completed by your instrucotr maybe like use of signs, probslems on roads etc.

[TW85]

I must say that I'm glad I've done all this already. Although I didn't find it difficult, I don't think it made any difference to how I drive/ride. Only experience has improved my observations (along with a few helpful tips from people, like looking for the brake lights of 2 or 3 cars in front, not just the one directly in front of you). I thought that surely the best test of hazard perception would be by the instructor, on the actual practical test. Maybe they could ask you a few questions.

I'm not sure I agree with the suggestion that people should be made to have more lessons after their CBT either. It was a little scary the first time I went out unsupervised, but that fear makes you cautious. Maybe it's different for 17 year olds, I don't know, I've done all my test stuff in the last 6 months at age 23.

[DidierD]

[karidian]

Im now coming up on 37 and have been driving cars since i was 17. I passed my DAS almost a year ago. (just to set the scene lol).
When i had to sit the hazard perception test i know i would have failed if it wasnt for many hours practicing with the dvd. I found i was seeing the hazard but clicking too early so i developed the technique of counting to 2 then clicking when i saw the hazard (i know this wouldnt necesarily work for everyone but it did for me!).
That said, i was actually recognising the hazard so i am of the opinion that a computerised test is not necessarily the most fair or objective way to go. Perhaps sitting with an examiner watching the clips with you so that you can provide a running commentary of what you see in the road would be fairer. Of course that would mean having to pay a number of examiners rather than just one bloke to switch on the computer
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G reg Honda CB1 400; 06 Kawasaki ER6F abs, X reg Bandit 600sy. 1998 Cb600f Hornet. 08 zx6r current.

[hate_camel]

I had the same problem when I did my car theory test. I was spotting the hazard very soon, but then unsure of when to click. For example, you see a woman pushing a pram on the pavement, my reaction is that seeing as this is a hazard awareness test i reckon she's gonna jump out into the road. Do I click when I see the woman or when she jumps out? I'm aware that she might become a hazard but waiting until the last minute seems a bit daft.

Anyway, I passed it and continued with my life, safe in the knowledge that I have eyes and a brain and should be okay. I don't think the computerised system is fair though, why not watch the video with an instructor and explain to them what you think the hazards are? I guess that's too expensive, a computer suite and some DVD's are a much cheaper way of getting people through the system.

I will look forward to seeing if anything has changed when I do my bike test...

[JP7]

I sailed through the theory bit but failed my hazard perception section the first time because it kept telling me I was cheating for clicking too much.

As an IAM driver, I found it really difficult to grasp the term "developing hazard" that they keep harping on about. The fact that they only wanted you to click on the hazard when it was plainly obvious was a big step below what I'm already trained to do.

On my second test I waited until the person was actually in the road, or pulling out, etc etc, before clicking. Worked for me in the end, but I hated every minute of it.

[Student]

I was hoping to have my bike on the road without L plates by March but I know thats not going to happen now Mainly due to monies and being at Uni.

But the whole new system is a pile of poop. Just costs a bomb and to get to my nearest test centre the easiest way is to use the motorway.. Ironic?

I think they should put all new drivers on Suzuki Gp125's with bits falling off every 200 mi.

But I only suggest that because on an old bike you have to be more cautious, I have 6 v lights which give barely any light off. Breaks are good enough to stop you but because my lights are shit I just generally expect no-one to see me.

And I have to be more aware of my signaling because of lights being dim it takes longer to notice it, I think that taught me more then any theory practice CD did
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Current bike/project - Suzuki GP 125
Wish bike - Suzuki Gladius

[amnesia]

[The999Kid]

I think that a "You passed it once... why bother with it next time" approach would be more beneficial... or how about different view points for different vehicles, like a helmet/mirror cam for bike tests, or a higher viewpoint for LGV tests...

Tbh Making someone do hazard perception tests for more than once category is pointless and just another way of making the theory test seem more substantial than it really is!

I say bring back the good old highway code questions at the end of the practical and scrap the theory test altogether!
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NDB 19/10/1989 - 1/11/2010 |Nowhere.Elyseum wrote: I get the distinct feeling that Tim should be our secret weapon for future trolling. I don't know many people that can rip the piss in Iambic pentameter

[scream aim fire]

on the hazard bit i just click every time the driver slows down or see a person/animal walking, you can click upto 10 times before you get a fail, dont even need to pay attention really, i was half asleep for that bit of the test
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CBT PASSED 18/01/09 THEORY PASSED 14/04/09 DAS PASSED 17/04/09 3 minors wet test.
Bikes: 2009 Aprilia RS125 (PX'D) - A1P ZX6R - Stolen -Triumph Daytona 600 -wrote off via BMW
Current bike: P7F ZX6R