Text 1.6: Todays traffic. Common Traffic Errors

The most common traffic errors are thought to be ignoring stop signs and crossing the center line. But statistics show that in actual fact the number one driving error is failure to signal properly. This seems inconceivable now that most cars are equipped with fingertip turn signals. Yet lots of drivers do not switch on their turn signal when they should or do not turn them off at the proper time.

Today's traffic demands the use of turn signals to announce any intent to deviate from a straight-down-the-highway course, whether by turning, by passing (or overtaking) another car, or merely by changing lanes. And for any maneuver other than a sharp turn, it is necessary to turn the signal off manually.

The number two driving error is failure to dim one's lights upon meeting and when following another vehicle. Either failure can blind a driver. Even if you are on a divided highway, it is necessary to dim for oncoming vehicles.

Close following is number three. It is indeed a major cause of serious accidents, especially on expressways. Track drivers grind their teeth when they become aware of a passenger car hovering close to their rear end. They have seen enough "ran under" wrecks.

Number four is failure to pass a slow moving car, when a driver is forced to pull up behind a slow-moving car, which itself is following a vehicle going at the same speed. There isn't room for the third to overtake both cars though the car immediately ahead of him could easily pass the vehicle ahead of it. So the moral blame for any resulting accident rests with the second car in the line.

Excessive speed is number five. High speed is a widely advertised "killer on our highways." Traffic experts say it is involved in 37 percent of fatal accidents. But professional drivers who habitually move at 40 to 60 m.p.h. say that the question of speed is overemphasized.

Some more driving errors include ignoring yellow or solid "do not pass" lines, no taillights, taking drugs to stay awake, daydreaming at the wheel, stopping in a right-hand lane to make a left turn, lane straddling, and moving into the left lane to make a right turn.

But one of the most significant points made by the drivers was there ought to be more and better law enforcement.

Suggestions for Safer Driving

Before driving a strange car, reset the mirror, check the "feel" of the brakes and steering.

Never hesitate to yield the right of way, especially if the other driver is at fault. The best place for a bad driver is out of your way. When passing, wait before cutting back until you can see the passed car in your mirror.

Drive at least ten m.p.h. slower at night.

Keep the car moving at a reasonable speed, or get it off the road — completely if your windshield is dirty, so are your headlights. Be sure that they are clean each time you stop for gas.

If slowing, pump your brakes to flash your taillights.

Remember that you pass the peak of your driving efficiency between your fifth and sixth hour at the wheel. Near the end of their driving day, the professional drivers always slow down.

EXERCISES

Exercise 1. Make a list of the driving errors mentioned in the text and say how common they are in your country.

Exercise 2. Complete the following statements with the variant that most closely corresponds to the text and explain why the other variants are unsuitable.

A. Now cars are equipped with fingertip turn signals ...

1. but lots of drivers don't know how to use them.

2. and drivers don't ever forget to switch them on or off at the proper time.

3. yet lots of drivers don't switch them on and off when they should.

B. Today's traffic demands the use of turn signals ...

1. when a car moves straight down the highway.

2. when a car turns, overtakes another car, or changes lanes.

3. when a car makes a sharp turn or a U-turn.

C. On a divided highway ... .

1. it is not necessary to dim for oncoming vehicles.

2. it is not necessary to dim when following.

3. drivers must dim lights upon meeting and when

following.

D. In case of an accident resulting from an attempt to overtake a long line of slow-moving cars ...

1. the moral blame for the accident rests with the first slow-moving car.

2. the moral blame for the accident rests with the second car in the line.

3. the moral blame for the accident rests with the last car in the line.

E. A most significant point made by the drivers is ...

1. that traffic rules and regulations are never violated.

2. that there ought to be more and better order on the highways.

3. that drivers always get away with their errors.

Exercise 3. Match the English words with their Russian equivalents.

A. In the city

1. ATTENTION

2. DO NOT LITTER

3. $50 FINE

4. PRIVATE PROPERTY

5. DON'T WALK

6. WALK

7. BUS STOP

8. EXIT

1. ШТРАФ 50 ДОЛ.

2. ИДИТЕ (на светофоре)

3. ВЫХОД

4. АВТОБУСНАЯ ОСТАНОВКА

5. ВНИМАНИЕ

6. ЛИЧНЫЕ ВЕЩИ (багаж)

7. СТОЙТЕ (на светофоре)

8. HE СОРИТЬ

B. Road signs

1. DETOUR

2. NO PASSING

3. RAILROAD CROSSING

4. TRAFFIC CIRCLE

5. TRAFFIC LINE

6. NO PARKING

7. PUBLIC PARKING

8. AUTO REPAIR

9. CAR WASH

10. SLOW.CHILDREN

11. SPEED LIMIT

1. КОЛЬЦЕВОЕ ДВИЖЕНИЕ

2. ОБГОН ЗАПРЕЩЕН

3. АВТОМАГИСТРАЛЬ

4. ОГРАНИЧЕНИЕ СКОРОСТИ

5. МОЙКА АВТОМАШИН

6. РЕМОНТ АВТОМАШИН

7. ЖЕЛЕЗНОДОРОЖНЫЙ ПЕРЕЕЗД

8. ОСТОРОЖНО. ДЕТИ

9. СТОЯНКА ЗАПРЕЩЕНА

10. ОБЩЕСТВЕННАЯ СТОЯНКА

11. ОБЪЕЗД

C. Public transport

1. Electric railway

2. Tram

3. Trolleybus

4. Bus

5. Double-decker

6. Coach

7. Metro, underground subway

8. Taxi, cab

1. автобус

2. такси

3. городская электричка

4. трамвай

5. троллейбус

6. метро

7. двухэтажный автобус в Англии

8. междугородный туристический автобус

Exercise 4. These words refer to traffic. Explain what they mean.

1. stop signs

2. center line

3. fingertip turn signals

4. driver

5. straight-down-the-highway course

6. maneuver

7. vehicle

8. divided highway

9. track drivers

10. "ran under" wreck

11. speed

12. solid "do not pass" line

13. lane