The effects of driving experience on responses to a static hazard perception test

Novice drivers exhibit deficits in hazard perception that are likely to increase their risk of collisions. We developed a static hazard perception test that presents still images to observers and requires them to indicate the presence of a traffic conflict that would lead to a collision. Responses to these scenes were obtained for young adult novice (N = 29) and experienced drivers (N = 27). Additionally, participants rated the hazard risk and clutter of each scene. Novice drivers rated traffic conflicts as less hazardous and responded more slowly to them. Using a subset of 21 scenes, we were able to discriminate novice and experienced young adult drivers with a classification accuracy of 78% and a scale reliability (Cronbach's alpha) of.91. The potential applications of this research include the development of standardized hazard perception tests that can be used for driver evaluation, training and licensure

A hazard perception test for novice drivers

We developed a hazard perception test, modeled on that used currently in several Australian states, that presents short video scenes to observers and requires them to indicate the presence of a traffic conflict that would lead to a collision between the "camera" vehicle and another road user. After eliminating those scenes that were problematic (e.g., many observers did not recognize the hazard), we predicted driver group (novice vs. experienced drivers of similar age) on the basis of individual differences in reaction time, miss rate and false alarm rate. Novices were significantly slower in responding to hazards, even after controlling for age and simple reaction time. After selecting those scenes with the larger group differences, an 18-scene test that would be useful for mass testing exhibited even larger experience effects. There was good reliability in the resulting scale. Results suggest that this brief test of hazard perception can discriminate groups that differ in driving experience. Implications for driver licensing, evaluation and training are discussed

Hazard perception in older drivers

We have developed a hazard perception test (HPT) that presents short video scenes to observers and requires them to identify a traffic conflict that could lead to a collision between the 'camera' vehicle and another road user. In the present study, we compared the performance of young, experienced drivers (M = 21.30 years of age) with that of healthy, older drivers (M = 70.88 years of age). Although an average hazard perception test score based on all scenes did not produce systematic age effects, older adults were systematically slower on a composite hazard perception test score used previously with novice drivers (Scialfa et al., 2011b). Age differences in hazard perception test latencies were mediated by contrast sensitivity, but not simple reaction time. The findings suggest that a brief hazard perception test could potentially be used in the assessment of drivers across the adult lifespan