新西兰英语 188 Cell phones while driving

　　There is a new law coming in that bans the use of hand-held cell phones while driving. From November 1st, drivers caught using a hand-held cell phone will be fined $80 and will get 20 demerit points. Licences¹ are lost at 100 demerit points. According to the New Zealand Transport Agency², 65% of New Zealanders own a cell phone, and 57% of those people use their cell phone while driving.
The ban has been introduced because the number of accidents caused by a cell phone is increasing, probably because more people own and use one. Technology is getting better and cheaper. Although there are other distractions³ such as eating or changing the radio station, using a cell-phone to call or text is considered more dangerous. There are very few countries in the world that allow the use of hand-held cell phones in cars.
It would be difficult to ban cell phones in cars altogether because people like tradespeople use their cell phones for business and they might miss out on work if they cannot be contacted. They will have to buy a hands-free cell phone to use in the car. Cell phones are also good for security⁴ reasons and for reporting crashes. The new law allows the use of hand-held cell phone for 111 emergencies only. Police are also exempt⁵ from the ban which means they can use hand-held phones also.
Contributed by Anita Jones

1 licences   

n.许可( licence的名词复数 )；许可证；放纵；放荡

参考例句：

• Their licences have expired. 他们的执照已到期。 来自《现代汉英综合大词典》
• If any manufacturing licences are negotiated it will be his job to prepare the necessary documents. 如果有什么生产许可证谈成了，那准备必要的文件就是他的事。 来自企业管理英语口语（第二版）(1)

2 agency   

n.经办；代理；代理处

参考例句：

• This disease is spread through the agency of insects.这种疾病是通过昆虫媒介传播的。
• He spoke in the person of Xinhua News Agency.他代表新华社讲话。

3 distractions   

n.使人分心的事[人]( distraction的名词复数 )；娱乐，消遣；心烦意乱；精神错乱

参考例句：

• I find it hard to work at home because there are too many distractions. 我发觉在家里工作很难，因为使人分心的事太多。
• There are too many distractions here to work properly. 这里叫人分心的事太多，使人无法好好工作。 来自《简明英汉词典》

4 security   

n.安全，安全感；防护措施；保证(金)，抵押(品)；债券，证券

参考例句：

• A security guard brought him down with a flying tackle.一名保安人员飞身把他抱倒。
• There was tight security at the airport when the President's plane landed.总统的专机降落时，机场的保安措施很严密。

5 exempt   

adj.免除的；v.使免除；n.免税者，被免除义务者

参考例句：

• These goods are exempt from customs duties.这些货物免征关税。
• He is exempt from punishment about this thing.关于此事对他已免于处分。