Using a riding trainer as a tool to improve hazard perception and awareness in teenagers

Since a great many teenagers are involved in road accident every year, the acquisition of much experience is a crucial factor in driver education and training. The ability to identify potentially dangerous traffic situations is termed as hazard perception. Previous studies showed that hazard perception training in novice drivers leads to improved performance on hazard perception tests. Hazard perception training is particularly relevant for riders, as motorcyclists are not protected by a vehicle body so the ability to perceive and respond to hazards posed by other vehicles is crucially important. This study is aimed to find out whether a rider simulator (Honda Riding Trainer, HRT) could improve the hazard perception in teenagers. The experimental procedure involves a pre/post randomized experimental design with an experimental group and a control group. Results show a clearly visible learning process and improvement in participants’ performance, regardless of the order in which the riding tracks are presented. HRT trainees improve their performance in avoiding accidents in a simulated environment significantly more than participants of the control group.