新西兰英语 475 Zero alcohol for young drivers

 　　From today, it is illegal¹ for drivers under the age of 20 to drink any alcohol² at all. Previously³ the limit was 30mg of alcohol per 100ml of blood. Now the law says teenagers may not drink at all if they are driving. If they break this law, they will be fined $200 and receive 50 demerit points. If a driver gets 100 demerit points over a two year period, he or she will lose their licence⁴ for 3 months.

　　From August 1st, the age when young people can get a restricted⁵ licence, was increased from 15 to 16 years old. From next February, young drivers will need more practice with an adult before they can get a full licence.

　　The reason for these law changes is the high number of car crashes caused by young people. Only 6.1% of drivers were between the ages of 15 and 19 last year but they caused 17% of serious car crashes. Alcohol was involved in many of those crashes.

　　The police hope that after the age of 20, young drivers will continue the practice of no alcohol.

　　For more about this law change, listen to May 5th 2011.

　　Vocabulary

　　?Demerit points are given to any driver who breaks the law e.g. for speeding.

　　?A restricted licence is for a learner who can drive with an adult and no other passengers. With a restricted licence, a learner can only drive during day time.

　　Grammar

　　There are some “If” sentences here: If they are driving, they may not drink. If they drink, they will …

　　Practise making your own “If” sentences. Note that in speech it is usual to say “I’ll” not “I will” e.g. If it’s raining, I’ll catch a bus.

1 illegal   

adj.不合法的，非法的，犯法的

参考例句：

• I don't want to get mixed up with any illegal organization.我不想与任何非法组织有牵连。
• It's illegal for people under 17 to drive a car in Britain.在英国，不满17岁的人驾驶车辆是违法的。

2 alcohol   

n.酒精，乙醇；含酒精的饮料

参考例句：

• The law forbids shops to sell alcohol to minors.法律禁止商店向未成年者出售含酒精的饮料。
• The alcohol is industrial.这些酒精是供工业用的。

3 previously   

adv.以前，先前（地）

参考例句：

• The bicycle tyre blew out at a previously damaged point.自行车胎在以前损坏过的地方又爆开了。
• Let me digress for a moment and explain what had happened previously.让我岔开一会儿，解释原先发生了什么。

4 licence   

n.证书；许可证，执照；v.许可；批准

参考例句：

• The restaurant applied for a licence to sell wine.那家餐厅申请售酒许可证。
• He hadn't paid his television licence fee.他尚未缴纳电视机使用许可费。

5 restricted   

adj.有限的；受约束的

参考例句：

• Speed is restricted to 30 mph in towns. 在城里车速不得超过每小时30英里。
• a restricted range of foods 有限的食物种类