To install the PC version requires only the first CD and on a reasonably fast PC it will take around a couple of minutes and around 36MB of hard disc space. However the product itself is almost all video and requires that the CD is in the drive at all times to work. When you need to change CD’s a message comes on the screen telling you exactly what CD is required.

There is close to four hours worth of video and it is surprisingly clear and appears in a quite large Window once the initial video test has worked out what your PC can handle, there was little or no pixelisation and anyone viewing it will automatically start to notice hazards. However what you need to do is learn to see the hazard at a time you can do something about it and not to late – or even to early – at that point during the training sessions you click the mouse to notify that the hazard has been recognised.

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The hazards are in a range of weather conditions over a range of roads and at various times of day, in fact giving a learner a chance to sample a great deal of differences.

It is not possible to ‘cheat’ as should you click the mouse too often you will be given a ‘0’ in that section. The pieces of video are reasonably short all around a minute but the hazards you are marked on are in a section of the video, which section you are not of course told. There are a possible five marks available in each section.

Until around twenty years ago I was an approved driving instructor at that time there was only a one part test, the written test had yet to be brought in and the closest thing was a few questions on the highway code at the end of the practical test. In all my years of teaching I only had one pupil who failed on the lack of knowledge of the highway code alone.

Then the written test was introduced and pupils needed to study the highway code, years later the Hazard Perception test was included and currently people need to get 44 out of 75 to pass. I would suggest anyone who passed their test more than twenty years ago try this package (either PC or standalone DVD version) and after doing the full course you will be a safer driver – even if you fail – but should you pass other people on the road will be a lot safer.

I am not saying that this product is foolproof it isn’t I have several ‘0’ scores in the training not because I missed hazards but because my clicking was not at the accepted time. Each sequence can be rerun and it is possible to see where you clicked in relation to where it was expected.

The important thing for you, your no claims bonus and most importantly for other road users – not just other motorists – is that the video be viewed and the hazards spotted. Then when a similar scenario is met in real life then a life or live’s can be saved.

With the DVD version shown on a TV you click a button in most cases it will be the ‘OK’ button in the centre of the remote control. The hazards are the same the training is the same. Should you actually be using the product to prepare for the real thing as part of passing the test to drive this will certainly help. However if you have been driving for years I suggest you try either of these Focus products in private as I am sure your initial scores will not be something you want to brag about. However by finishing the course the rest of the population will be that little bit safer. Either the PC CD version ESS595/D or the standalone DVD version DVD001/D are available from dealers or direct from Focus at £9.99 each.

http://www.focusmm.co.uk/store/drivingtestsite/drivinginfo/dtsess595.html

http://www.focusmm.co.uk/store/productpages/productinfo/dvd001.html