新西兰英语 560 Changes to driving test

 　　From tomorrow, the practical driving test will be longer and more difficult. Learner drivers will be tested on the same things as before, like parallel parking, but they will also have to show they are watching other road users and can anticipate what these people will do. Is that person on the footpath¹ going to step onto the pedestrian crossing? Is that driver getting ready to stop? Is that cyclist going to continue straight ahead or turn left?

　　Young drivers with a learner licence need 120 hours of supervised driving practice with a parent or other experienced driver. This practice should include driving in rain and driving at night. After 120 hours, they could be ready for their practical driving test.

　　New Zealand has a very high rate of car crashes with teenage drivers. On average, one teenager dies in a car crash every week in this country. This tougher practical test may help to prepare young drivers for driving alone.

　　Listen to May 5th 2011 to hear more about young people and driving licences.

　　Vocabulary

　　parallel parking – the car is parallel with the edge of the road

　　anticipate – guess what will happen and be prepared

　　supervised – another person guides the young driver to help them learn

　　experienced driver – someone who has been driving for many years

　　tough – opposite is ‘easy’

　　Questions

　　Why do young drivers crash – is it lack of experience or some other reason?

　　Do you think this new test will reduce the number of car crashes by teenage drivers?

1 footpath   

n.小路，人行道

参考例句：

• Owners who allow their dogs to foul the footpath will be fined.主人若放任狗弄脏人行道将受处罚。
• They rambled on the footpath in the woods.他俩漫步在林间蹊径上。