Research led by Professor Frank McKenna from Psychology has led to the introduction of the hazard perception test, which all learner drivers must now pass before taking the practical driving test.
Professor McKenna’s study showed that new drivers had relatively poor hazard perception skills, a major cause of accidents, but that it was possible to train them to be more aware. As a result, the government introduced the test, which shows a series of video images of road hazards for drivers to detect.
More than 8 million people have taken the test so far.
First published: June 2015