Formation and Evaluation of Act and Anticipate Hazard Perception Training (AAHPT) Intervention for Young Novice Drivers

Abstract

Objective: Young novice drivers’ poor hazard perception (HP) skills are a prominent cause for their overinvolvement in traffic crashes. HP, the ability to read the road and anticipate forthcoming events, is receptive to training. This study explored the formation and evaluation of a new HP training intervention—the Act and Anticipate Hazard Perception Training (AAHPT), which is based upon exposing young novice drivers to a vast array of actual traffic hazards, aiming to enhance their ability to anticipate potential hazards during testing. Method: Forty young novices underwent one of 3 AAHPT intervention modes (active, instructional, or hybrid) or a control group. Active members observed video-based traffic scenes and were asked to press a response button each time they detected a hazard. Instructional members underwent a tutorial that included both written material and video-based examples regarding HP. Hybrid members received a condensed theoretical component followed by a succinct active component. Control was presented with a road safety tutorial. Approximately one week later, participants performed a hazard perception test (HPT), during which they observed other movies and pressed a response button each time they detected a hazard. Twenty-one experienced drivers also performed the HPT and served as a gold standard for comparison. Results: Overall, the active and hybrid modes were more aware of potential hazards relative to the control. Conclusions: Inclusion of an active–practical component generates an effective intervention. Using several evaluation measurements aids performance assessment process. Advantages of each of the training methodologies are discussed. Supplemental materials are available for this article. Go to the publisher's online edition of Traffic Injury Prevention to view the supplemental file.