A Kenyan University embarked on one of its kind driving testing system that has the ability to reduce traffic accidents by up to 90 per cent.
Pan African Christian (PAC) University on Monday, February 1, became the first institution of higher learning in the country to unveil a Psychometrics Testing Centre.
The centre offers driving fitness tests using the driver's risk index which is used in most developed countries to avert accidents.
The test uses psychometric principles to assess the thoughts, feelings and behaviours underlying driver risk hence eliminating human error which is responsible for 90 per cent of accidents.
"The Pan Africa Christian (PAC) University launched a Psychometrics Testing Center, in collaboration with Schuhfried, an Austrian-based company known for its digital products and services in the fields of psychological assessments, to provide it with technological infrastructure for various psychometrics tests of the Vienna Test System (VTS)," the university revealed in a statement.
If adopted by the government, it will also see fewer Kenyans accorded driving licences due to its strict method of testing.
This is because psychometrics measures ability and attitudes relevant to road safety and the psychological tests help the assessor make a reliable decision about whether a driver is fit to be allowed on the roads.
The test further provides a basis for devising and recommending specific measures to maintain older people’s fitness to drive.
To eliminate human error while driving, the psychometrics examines the following attributes; Vision, Reaction Skills, Anticipation Skills, Colour Blindness, Driving Aptitude and Judgement Test.
The anticipation test is used to assess the driver’s skills of anticipating the speed of an oncoming vehicle or hazard while the judgement test assesses the driver's focus on the road on both sides of the vehicle.
Apart from anticipation tests, psychometrics looks at the reaction time of the driver as well as aptitude levels.
Psychometrics is also key in testing the driver's capability on distinguishing colours as well as a vision to the ability to read instructions.
"Apart from driving tests, the centre will further use the Psychometrics Testing Centre in the fields of clinical neuropsychological assessment, human resources hiring, sports talent spotting and development of young players, and research in sports psychology," PAC University revealed.
"The University is the first institution in Africa to open a psychometrics testing centre that uses VTS from Schuhfried, which has a presence in over 68 countries around the world," the institution added.
VTS which is a test system for computerized psychological assessments allows digital psychological tests to be administered while also providing automatic and comprehensive scoring.
