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Bob Pickett improves his observation skills with the help of a video

Drag your eyes away from the pic at the bottom and improve the rest of your observation Once on the road, an essential skill to build up is hazard awareness. To help you on the way the What If? Motorcycle Video and Handbook comes to your aide. According to the DSA "This is not a training video, but is the result of a research programme and subsequent training package that significantly increased the ability to spot hazards during a computer-based test."

Presented by Suzi Perry (enough of a reason for a lot of people to buy the video in the first place!), the video starts off dealing with the basics of what to look out for, such as road signs, road surfaces, weather conditions etc. But the most useful parts are those that deal with hazard awareness and the need to scan ahead. This is dealt with by means of a series of short clips - first you see the clip and then it is re-shown with the hazards clearly marked. Then it is all brought together with a longer ride, both in rural and urban situations, in the same format.

I'm glad to say I spotted most of the dangers heading my way, but there were a few that passed me by - which was certainly food for thought.

The commentary ride with a police biker was a real disappointment. Poorly edited, it just didn't hold the attention. The sections on conspicuity (or 'being seen' to you and me) and security were very quickly whizzed through, but then these are subjects that could fill a video on their own.

Verdict:

A little dry in places, but the hazard awareness sections are very well put together. Like the Theory Test CD-ROM , worth digging back out of the cupboard from time to time just to refresh your hazard awareness and observational skills.

To order a copy, contact the Driving Standards Agency at On their online shop or call 0870-241-4523

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