ANALYSIS of the top ten reasons why candidates fail the UK practical driving test proves learner drivers need to make far more effective use of their eyes, say driver training experts BSM.

The Driving Standards Agency's national figures indicate four of the ten most frequent causes of test failure - not carrying out proper observation at junctions, badly executed reverse parking, poor reversing around a corner and not moving away safely - relate to "ineffective observation".

"Many badly-taught learner drivers sit in the driving seat staring fixedly at a single point in the road ahead like frightened rabbits," said BSM's Keith Cameron.

"What they ought to be doing instead is using their eyes continually to 'read' the road ahead and its prevailing conditions. Good drivers' eyes, on the other hand, are darting about from left to right, looking constantly into the far, middle and near distance, as well as monitoring their rear-view mirror and wing mirrors.

"Effective observation is just as important a skill to master as any of the practical ones necessary to control the car, but the test failure statistics show that the message isn't always getting through."