title: A hazard perception test for novice drivers.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: University of Calgary, Canada. scialfa@ucalgary.ca
authors.forename: Charles T
authors.initials: CT
authors.lastname: Scialfa
authors.forename: Micheline C
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Deschênes
authors.forename: Jennifer
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Ference
authors.forename: Jessica
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Boone
authors.forename: Mark S
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Horswill
authors.forename: Mark
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Wetton
mesh_terms: D000063:Accidents, Traffic / Q000523:psychology*; D000293:Adolescent; D000367:Age Factors; D001288:Attention; D001334:Automobile Driving / Q000193:education / Q000523:psychology*; D003198:Computer Simulation; D003617:Dangerous Behavior; D004522:Educational Status; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007206:Individuality; D008297:Male; D011214:Practice, Psychological; D011930:Reaction Time; D014796:Visual Perception; D055815:Young Adult