Pedestrian-related scenarios are among the most common in the NSW Hazard Perception Test, and they’re also the situations where proper timing is most critical. Spotting pedestrian hazards early—but not too early—is essential for scoring maximum points.
This comprehensive guide will teach you exactly what to look for and when to respond.
Why Pedestrian Hazards Are So Common in the HPT
Pedestrians are vulnerable road users, and interactions between vehicles and pedestrians represent one of the highest-risk situations in real-world driving. Transport for NSW includes numerous pedestrian scenarios in the HPT because:
- High consequence: Pedestrian collisions often result in serious injury or death
- Frequent occurrence: Urban and suburban driving involves constant pedestrian interaction
- Preventability: Most pedestrian incidents are avoidable with proper hazard perception
- Legal responsibility: Drivers have a duty of care to yield to pedestrians in many situations
Understanding how to identify developing pedestrian hazards will significantly boost your HPT score.
The Key Principle: Action vs. Potential
The most important distinction in pedestrian hazard recognition is understanding the difference between potential hazards and developing hazards.
Potential Hazard (Don’t Click Yet)
- Pedestrians standing on the footpath
- People waiting at bus stops
- Pedestrians facing away from the road
- Children playing in yards (not on or near the road)
- People sitting in parks adjacent to roads
Developing Hazard (Click Now)
- Pedestrian stepping off the curb
- Person looking both ways preparing to cross
- Pedestrian already on the road
- Child running toward the road
- Person stepping between parked cars
- Pedestrian on a crossing (marked or unmarked)
The Critical Moment: Click when you observe the transition from potential to developing—when the pedestrian shows intent or action to enter the roadway.
High-Risk Locations for Pedestrian Hazards
Certain locations have elevated pedestrian hazard risk. Train yourself to increase attention in these areas:
School Zones
What to watch for:
- Children crossing between parked cars
- Groups of students at crossing points
- Children distracted by friends or devices
- Younger children with unpredictable behavior
- School crossing supervisors and their signals
Timing tip: In school zone videos, assume hazards will develop. Increase your visual scanning and be prepared to click quickly.
Shopping Areas and Town Centers
What to watch for:
- Pedestrians carrying shopping bags (reduced awareness)
- People exiting shops directly onto footpaths
- Elderly pedestrians (may move slowly)
- Parents with strollers or prams
- People checking phones while walking
Key insight: Commercial areas have high pedestrian volume and distraction levels—hazards can develop rapidly.
Bus Stops
What to watch for:
- Passengers crossing to/from bus stops
- People running to catch buses
- Buses pulling out (obscuring pedestrians behind them)
- Pedestrians emerging from behind stopped buses
- Groups dispersing after alighting
Critical skill: When you see a bus at a stop, anticipate pedestrians may cross from behind it.
Residential Areas
What to watch for:
- Children playing near the road
- Residents collecting mail or bins
- People washing cars or gardening near the street
- Pets (which may be followed by owners)
- Driveways with limited visibility
Pattern recognition: Residential areas on school day afternoons have elevated risk.
Marked Pedestrian Crossings
What to watch for:
- Pedestrians waiting to cross
- People already on the crossing
- Pedestrians approaching from either side
- Crossing signals changing
- Vehicles in other lanes stopping (indicating someone is crossing)
Legal requirement: You must give way to pedestrians on crossings. In the HPT, these scenarios test whether you recognize your obligation to yield.
Reading Pedestrian Body Language
Expert hazard perception involves reading subtle cues that indicate a pedestrian’s intention:
High-Risk Body Language
- Looking both ways: Indicates crossing intention
- Stepping toward the curb: Shows movement toward the road
- Pointing or gesturing: May indicate someone is about to cross
- Running: Suggests urgency, unpredictability
- Leaning forward: Body preparing to move
- Eye contact with driver: Assessing whether to cross
Lower-Risk Body Language
- Facing away from road: Not intending to cross immediately
- Stationary and relaxed: Not preparing to move
- Looking at phone/reading: Attention elsewhere
- Seated: Unlikely to move suddenly
- Walking parallel to road: Moving along footpath, not across
Important: Body language provides clues but isn’t definitive—maintain readiness to respond even to “lower-risk” pedestrians.
Age-Related Pedestrian Behaviors
Different age groups exhibit distinct pedestrian behaviors relevant to the HPT:
Children (Under 12)
Characteristics:
- Unpredictable movements
- Limited traffic awareness
- Easily distracted
- May run into the road suddenly
- Don’t always look before crossing
- May follow pets or toys into traffic
HPT strategy: Click early when children are near the road—they can become developing hazards very quickly.
Teenagers
Characteristics:
- Often distracted by phones or friends
- May take risks (crossing against signals)
- Can be unpredictable in groups
- Sometimes don’t assess vehicle speed accurately
HPT strategy: Watch for distraction cues (phones, headphones, groups) near the roadway.
Adults (Working Age)
Characteristics:
- Generally traffic-aware
- May be distracted by phones or work thoughts
- Can be in a hurry (rushing to work, appointments)
- Usually observe road rules
HPT strategy: Focus on those showing intent to cross or rushing behavior.
Elderly Pedestrians
Characteristics:
- May move slowly
- Need more time to cross roads
- May have reduced vision or hearing
- Generally cautious but need extra time
- May misjudge vehicle speeds
HPT strategy: If you see elderly pedestrians near crossings, anticipate they may need extra time and space.
Environmental Factors Affecting Pedestrian Hazards
Weather Conditions
Rainy Days:
- Pedestrians using umbrellas (reduced visibility)
- People rushing to get out of rain
- Reduced pedestrian hearing (rain noise)
- Pedestrians wearing hoods (limited peripheral vision)
Sunny Days:
- Sun glare affecting both driver and pedestrian vision
- More pedestrians out and about
- Sunglasses may limit peripheral vision
Cold Weather:
- Pedestrians wearing hoods or hats (reduced awareness)
- People moving quickly to stay warm
- Fewer pedestrians overall but less predictable
Time of Day
School Hours (8-9am, 3-4pm):
- Highest child pedestrian activity
- School zones have reduced speed limits
- Parents dropping off/collecting children
- School crossing supervisors present
Lunchtime (12-2pm):
- Workers on lunch breaks
- Higher pedestrian volume in commercial areas
- People may be distracted or rushed
Evening (5-7pm):
- Commuters heading home
- Reduced visibility as darkness falls
- Tired pedestrians and drivers
Night:
- Significantly reduced visibility
- Pedestrians harder to spot (especially in dark clothing)
- May include intoxicated pedestrians near entertainment areas
Common Pedestrian Scenarios in the HPT
Scenario 1: Pedestrian Between Parked Cars
Setup: You’re driving along a street with parked cars on one or both sides.
The Hazard: A pedestrian appears between parked cars, stepping toward or onto the road.
When to Click: As soon as you see the pedestrian emerging from between vehicles or stepping onto the road.
Why It’s Testing: This assesses your ability to scan for hazards in areas with limited visibility and respond to suddenly appearing pedestrians.
Scoring Tip: Watch the gaps between parked cars carefully. Any movement or person visible in those gaps warrants increased attention.
Scenario 2: School Crossing
Setup: You’re approaching a marked school crossing, possibly with a crossing supervisor.
The Hazard: Children waiting to cross, supervisor signaling you to stop, or children already on the crossing.
When to Click: When the supervisor raises their stop sign, or when children step onto the crossing.
Why It’s Testing: School crossings are legally protected areas where you must stop. This tests your knowledge of road rules and hazard recognition.
Scoring Tip: Slow down when you see school crossing signs. If there’s a supervisor present, anticipate they may signal you to stop.
Scenario 3: Bus Stop Crossing
Setup: You’re passing a bus that’s stopped at a bus stop.
The Hazard: Pedestrians crossing from behind the bus to reach the stop, or crossing from the stop to the other side.
When to Click: When you see a pedestrian emerging from behind the bus or stepping onto the road.
Why It’s Testing: Buses obscure vision, and pedestrians often cross near bus stops without full view of traffic.
Scoring Tip: Always be prepared for pedestrians when passing stopped buses. Slow down and scan for movement.
Scenario 4: Marked Pedestrian Crossing (No Signals)
Setup: You’re approaching a zebra crossing or marked pedestrian crossing without traffic lights.
The Hazard: Pedestrians waiting to cross, or already on the crossing.
When to Click: When pedestrians step onto the crossing, or when you observe pedestrians at the crossing edge showing intent to cross.
Why It’s Testing: Legal requirement to give way at marked crossings.
Scoring Tip: Slow down as you approach the crossing. Click if pedestrians are on the crossing or clearly about to step onto it.
Scenario 5: Pedestrian Distraction
Setup: A pedestrian near the roadway looking at their phone, talking to friends, or otherwise distracted.
The Hazard: The distracted pedestrian steps toward or onto the road without looking.
When to Click: When the distracted pedestrian shows movement toward the road or steps off the curb.
Why It’s Testing: Distracted pedestrians are high-risk because they may not see approaching vehicles.
Scoring Tip: Distraction cues (phones, headphones, looking away) increase hazard likelihood. Be prepared to click quickly if they move toward the road.
Advanced Techniques for Maximum Scores
The Scanning Pattern
Develop a systematic visual scanning pattern:
- Far ahead (12-15 seconds): Identify potential pedestrian areas
- Medium range (6-8 seconds): Watch for pedestrians near the road
- Close range (3-4 seconds): React to developing hazards
- Peripheral vision: Monitor sidewalks and roadside areas
- Return to far ahead: Continuous cycle
This ensures you spot pedestrian hazards as early as possible while maintaining overall road awareness.
The “If I Were Crossing…” Technique
When you spot a pedestrian near the road, mentally ask: “If I were that pedestrian, would I cross now?”
Consider:
- Gaps in traffic
- Crossing locations nearby
- The pedestrian’s apparent destination
- Current traffic speed and density
This helps anticipate pedestrian actions.
The Countdown Method
When you spot a potential pedestrian hazard (someone near the road), start a mental countdown:
“Potential hazard—watching—watching—MOVEMENT—click!”
This keeps you focused on the pedestrian and ready to respond immediately when they show intent.
The Context Clue Method
Use environmental context to anticipate pedestrian hazards:
- School buildings visible: Expect children
- Shopping centers: Expect distracted shoppers
- Bus stops: Expect people crossing
- Parks and playgrounds: Expect families with children
- Aged care facilities: Expect elderly pedestrians
Practice Exercises
Exercise 1: Real-World Observation
As a passenger in a vehicle:
- Identify all pedestrians near the roadway
- Assess which are potential vs. developing hazards
- Note when pedestrians transition from potential to developing
- Practice clicking (or tapping your hand) at the correct moment
Exercise 2: Video Analysis
Watch dashcam footage on YouTube:
- Pause when you see a pedestrian
- Assess the risk level
- Predict if they’ll cross
- Resume and check your prediction
- Note the exact moment it became a developing hazard
Exercise 3: Scenario Visualization
Read through scenario descriptions:
- Visualize the scene
- Imagine driving through it
- Identify when you would click
- Understand why that moment is correct
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Clicking on Every Pedestrian You See
The Problem: Clicking whenever you spot a pedestrian near the road, even if they show no intent to cross.
The Fix: Wait for intent or action—stepping toward the curb, looking both ways, foot moving onto the road.
Waiting Too Long
The Problem: Waiting until the pedestrian is fully on the road or in your path.
The Fix: Click when the hazard develops, not when it completes. The transition moment is key.
Ignoring Pedestrians Not at Crossings
The Problem: Only clicking for pedestrians at marked crossings.
The Fix: Pedestrians can cross anywhere, and you must respond. Many HPT scenarios feature mid-block crossings.
Missing Obscured Pedestrians
The Problem: Not anticipating pedestrians hidden by vehicles, buses, or other obstacles.
The Fix: Always scan for potential hidden hazards. Slow down near obstacles that could hide pedestrians.
Key Takeaways
- Distinguish potential from developing hazards based on pedestrian intent and action
- High-risk locations include schools, bus stops, crossings, and commercial areas
- Read body language to anticipate pedestrian movements
- Consider age groups and their typical behaviors
- Use systematic scanning to spot pedestrians early
- Click at the transition moment when hazards develop, not before or after
- Environmental context helps predict pedestrian behavior
Conclusion
Mastering pedestrian hazard recognition is essential for HPT success. These scenarios appear frequently, offer significant scoring opportunities, and directly relate to real-world driving safety.
By understanding when pedestrians transition from potential to developing hazards, reading body language cues, recognizing high-risk locations, and practicing systematic scanning, you’ll dramatically improve your scores on pedestrian scenarios.
Remember: The goal isn’t just passing the test—it’s developing the skills that will protect vulnerable road users throughout your driving life.
Start practicing with our realistic HPT scenarios featuring comprehensive pedestrian situations. Build your recognition skills and confidence today.