Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #112 in Software
• Brand: Avanquest Software
• Released on: 2009-03-27
• Platforms: Windows Vista, Windows 2000, Windows XP
• Format: DVD-ROM

Manufacturer's Description

The UK’s most realistic Hazard Perception training aid!

With over 600 high quality Hazard Perception Test simulation video clips, this program tests your ability to spot potentially dangerous situations on the road. All the clips accurately represent those you will face in the real test, so you can be confident you’re properly prepared on the day.

Box Contains
1 DVD-ROM

Customer Reviews

Actually allows you to learn hazard perception skills through lots of practice.
Bought this product about 4 weeks before the theory test, cause I realised I wouldn't be able to pass the hazard perception part without practising. I had official bundle The Official DSA Complete Learner Driver Pack: 2008/09 Edition: Valid for Tests Taken from 1 September 2008 and had no problem with it preparing to multiple choice part, but DVD about hazard perception was not particularly impressive. It is a good introduction to hazard perception, but it is only an introduction and does not improve your hazard perception skills.

This software program on the other hand explains you everything in more details and allows to practice on numerous amounts of clips. I liked the way it shows and explains what hazards were, and when it started to develop. A very nice intuitive interface for the most parts is provided. The only thing is that the back button in the left-top part of the screen is not obvious in the beginning, but later I found it to be very convenient.

There are explanatory videos about the test and introduction to different particular type of hazards you should be looking for.

There are 42 complete tests with 14 clips in each. And all this clips are different. I have to mention, that they filmed on about 30 different locations, so you will see different clips from the same places. Though it might be a plus, because the situations and hazards can be absolutely different and it teaches you to look for all types of hazards, despite location being the same. The quality of the clips are good. Don't expect a crystal clear or HD quality, after all they used just a web cam stuck on a car, though it was clearly a very good webcam.

I had time to pass only about 22 tests, but in them I did not have a single clip shot at night. I had one clip featuring night driving during my "real" exam.

Overall I managed to learn how to pass the test, but in the same time I developed scanning and anticipating skills. The clips also are very good illustrations how professional drivers behave in different situations.

I passed my test at the first attempt, scoring 59 out of 75. Knowing traffic signs and highway code definitely helps though :).

Overall I am pleased with this product.

P.S.
As a side note, I would recommend to enable option to play videos in a full screen mode - easier to see hazards and it is the way they will be played at an actual exam.

Essential Training Aid... Buy It!

This gets fours stars because there is a fault on one of the clips. It scores you incorrect, but when you review the clip the hazard does not appear where the software indicates it does. That aside, I highly recommend this CD for those preparing to take their test, and also for 'experienced' drivers/riders.

If you are preparing to take your hazard perception test, you will find this software to a valuable piece of kit. It will help you recognise when potential hazards are developing, and just how easy it is for an accident to occur. There are various scenarios including motorways, side streets, City streets, and snow/ice conditions.
On my test I was given a night driving clip; this is something I didn't experience on the CD... although, to be fair, I have not worked my way through all the clips provided.

If you are an 'experienced' driver/rider, using this CD will be an eye opener to just how much attention you pay to your surroundings whilst on the road, and will only make you a much improved motorist.

On the real test all clips will be in full screen mode, so I would recommend enabling full screen mode via the Training CD set-up menu.

In ending, I would say this is a must for all road users. Buy it now!

Not for drivers!
Firstly, I'm somewhat annoyed that I'm expected to sit a Hazard Perception Test for LGV; surely 25 years and no accidents is enough to prove that I know what a hazard is! Mature drivers with good history should be exempt when seeking to add further categories to their already hard earned licence.

Rant Over and back to the package. If you've been driving for any length of time, this probably isn't the software for you; with it, you've spotted the hazard and are busy spotting the next before this product expects you to click. Ok, some 'obvious' hazards are be accurately scored, but the majority aren't. The playback facility which allows you to see 'where you went wrong' only helps to frustrate you further and highlights the products inaccuracies.

The package boasts 600 clips and to be fair it has 600 clips, to be honest though, it probably has maybe 100-200 original clips and the rest are variations with the majority shot in the same area and same streets and sometimes the same subjects, after quickly turning the camera-car around! Meaning that you quickly learn the streets being used to film these clips and start to know what hazards to expect to score a maximum on the clip. As an example, How many times did the camera-car drive past that poor girl on the horse? I counted at least 30 clips with her in, so many in fact, that the "kid on the horse" became a standing joke in my house. It became very easy to recognise the road she was on and know the "kid on the horse" was probably around the next bend...

If you have bought this because it boasts 600 clips, like I did, I would very much suggest you have experience with another product before facing your test as you'll very quickly be getting 90+ percent on these clips giving you a false sense of achievement. On taking a look at another product I was quickly back to reality with my scoring and thankfully still had a couple of days before my test to adjust to a more tighter and accurate scoring zone.

Finally, the options menu definitely needs a mention as it will drive anyone over the age of 17 mad with anger. It's some kind of childish revolving menu that you're expected to try to stop with the mouse pointer to choose your option? Why it couldn't be a straight forward vertical list options menu, I'll never know? The developers have spent a lot of time putting the flash menu together and not enough time reviewing and altering the scoring zones on their clips.

I've marked it as 3 stars. It isn't great but it does offer you a good insight into what the HP test is all about and how the test will be scored and does give good information about what hazards are and what kind of hazards to expect out on the roads; I probably wouldn't recommend this product to a friend though.