I'm surprised you got past level 1 without altering the chances. There is a 1 percent chance of that happening... I guess we should have put two 99% junctions in a row there. :D And yes, you can advance through the first levels without input, but you'll more than likely take a lot of damage that way. The idea is to spend control points to avoid those hazards. Clearly the first level didn't do it's job of teaching the main mechanic of altering the chances for you.
I agree with the double hazard damage. Defiantly should have adjusted those.
Thanks for your input, it helps us a lot to hear this.