In the town (Directions, Street Notices)

Life is a dead-end street.

Understanding is a two-way street.

Nobody goes there anymore. It’s too crowded.

God made the country, and man made the town.

In a quality city, a person should be able to live their entire life without a car, and not feel deprived.

The nice part about living in a small town is that when you don’t know what you’re doing, someone else does.

A small town is a place where there’s no place to go where you shouldn’t.

Introductory text

Notes to the text:

traffic congestion, jam – затор (пробка) на дорозі

the surest way – тут: найдоречніший спосіб

to obey(ed) the traffic rules – дотримуватися правил дорожнього руху

to hail(ed) a taxi / to pick(ed) up a cab – зупинити (зловити) таксі

an additional toll – додаткова плата

motoring regulations (Highway Code) – “Дорожній кодекс” (правила дорожнього руху)

to be strictly enforced – бути суворо зобов’язаним

take (took; taken) up space – займати місце

to violate(d) the parking laws – порушувати правила паркування

to be pasted – бути приклеєним

a summons – судова повістка

to pay (paid; ~) fine – сплатити штраф

Car Driving and Traffic Regulations

With traffic congestion in big cities getting worse from year to year walking may soon become the surest way of getting to places. But even the pedestrian has to obey the traffic rules if he wants to get the safe and sound.

Here are some things to remember:

• Obey the traffic lights. Don’t cross before the light turns green or the signal reads ‘walk’.

• Don’t cross streets in the middle of a block.

• The pedestrian walks on a sidewalk.

If you are out to hail a taxi cruising the streets look out for the lighted roof sign ‘taxi’. You may find it easier to pick up a cab at the taxi stand. Passengers may pay by meter. In the United States there is an additional toll for bridges and tunnels on the way.

Those who will have to drive a car while traveling abroad should start by getting an international driving permit. Always keep your driving license and registration papers on you.

• Remember that motoring regulations (Highway Code) are strictly enforced. In the United States, as in Ukraine, you drive on the right. In Britain, Japan and other several countries you must keep to the left.

• Parking in many cities can be a problem. Remember there are such things as ‘No Parking’ signs, parking meters, and parking lots.

• When parking your car never take up more space than necessary – stay within the lines of parking spaces – and do not park too close to other cars.

• If you violate the parking laws you are sure to find a ‘ticket’ pasted on your windscreen. This is a summons to appear in court. You may either send payment for your fine by mail or pay your fine in person in court.

1. Comprehension questions.

1. What is the surest way of getting to places with traffic congestion nowadays?

2. Why does even a pedestrian obey the traffic rules?

3. What are things to remember while crossing the street?

4. How can one pick up a taxi?

5. What documents should you have while traveling abroad?

6. What are parking laws? Is there any punishment if you violate the parking laws?