Text 2. Traffic problems

Text 1. On the Road

· You must give way at a give-way sign. On the roundabout, traffic coming from your right has the right of way (= is allowed to go before other traffic). Sounding/ horning/tooting your horn is prohibited except in emergencies. Jumping (=not stopping at) a red signal light is a serious offence. Reckless driving (=very dangerous driving, without any care for others) is also a very serious offence.

· Drink-driving may result in a heavy fine or imprisonment. You may be asked to take a breathalyzer (=instrument you breathe into to measure an alcohol level) test. Hit-and-run (=running over or into someone and not stopping) accidents are extremely serious and could result in ban (=removal of one’s driving license) for several years and/or imprisonment. Less serious offences may result in penalty points (=negative points on your license which are added up over time). On-the-spot fines (=given at the scene of the offence) may be issued for careless driving and other offences.

· Exhaust emissions (=waste gases produced by the vehicle) must meet government standards, and the car must be roadworthy (=in a condition that it can be driven safely), which includes a minimum depth of tyre/tire tread (=the depth of the grooves in the tyre/tire rubber).

1) It was rush hour, and there was a long tailback (=a line of slow or stopped traffic) on the motorway.

2) There was a pile-up (=crash between several or many cars) involving ten cars, because of the fog, so the road was closed and we were diverted (=directed away from our road) onto a narrow country lane.

3) I had stupidly parked in a tow away zone (=area where your car may be taken away if you park illegally) and came back to find my car had gone!

4) I just parked for a few minutes outside the station, but when I came out, my car had been clamped (=fitted with a metal device on the wheel to prevent it from moving).

5) I saw two men fighting next to their cars. I think it was a case of road rage. (=anger or violence between drivers because of difficult driving conditions)

6) The road was wet and I skidded (=lost control of the steering) on the bend and almost crashed.

7) There was a head-on collision (=two vehicles hitting each other directly in the front) on the main road between here and the next village last night. Luckily, both cars had air bags and the drivers survived.

1. We can’t park here; it’s a __________ zone.

2. There was a five-mile _______ on the motorway because of road works.

3. Fog caused a number of _______, one of which involved 15 cars.

4. If it’s a _________ sign, you don’t have to stop if the road is clear, but if it’s a stop sign, then you must always stop.

5. Who has the __________ at the corner in your country? Cars or pedestrians?

6. It was a ________ accident, but the police have a description of the car.

7. The permitted level of __________ is to be lowered in an attempt to reduce air pollution in big cities.

8. He was given a __________ test and it was discovered he had consumed a huge amount of alcohol. He was charged with ________ and fined £500.

9. In some countries drivers _________ their _________ just because they get frustrated. As a result, the city streets are incredibly noisy.

Дата добавления: 2014-12-27