2007年VOA标准英语-US Transportation Department Targets Drunk Driv

By Paul Sisco
Washington
06 September 2007
 
The U.S. Department of Transportation is targeting drivers who drink, and more specifically repeat offenders¹, in an effort to make America's roadways safer. In today's searching for solutions report, VOA's Paul Sisco examines the role technology is playing in that struggle.

Drunk drivers kill and U.S. officials have launched a media campaign and enforcement crackdown to do something about it.

Nicole Nason

National Highway Safety Administrator² Nicole Nason spoke³ recently about the campaign to safe driving advocates and law enforcement officials in Washington, D.C. "We really have not made any gains in reducing drunk driving deaths over the past decade.  We continue to lose 13,000 people every single year."

That is why U.S. officials and safe driving advocates are calling for wider use of proven technology such as ignition interlock devices to keep alcohol-impaired drivers off the road.

Here is how they work.  Once the devices are installed, drivers must first blow into them to start their vehicles. A driver demonstrates this and says, "It is going to allow me to start the car now because I am sober."

Road test for drunk driving administered by police

If the driver has been drinking, the car will not start, and a record is made of the attempt for authorities.

Chuck Hurley is with Mothers Against Drunk Driving. "The main reason drunk drivers continue to drink and drive is because they can and interlocks hold great progress to stop that."

In 2005, New Mexico became the first state to require ignition interlocks after a first offense⁴. "New Mexico has experienced a 28 percent decline in alcohol related crashes in three years.  It's not magic," says Hurley.

The threat of arrest and punishment has long been the primary tactic⁵ against drunk drivers. Now federal officials are counting on the wider use of these ignition interlock devices to keep those who drink off the road.

1 offenders   

n.冒犯者( offender的名词复数 )；犯规者；罪犯；妨害…的人（或事物）

参考例句：

• Long prison sentences can be a very effective deterrent for offenders. 判处长期徒刑可对违法者起到强有力的威慑作用。
• Purposeful work is an important part of the regime for young offenders. 使从事有意义的劳动是管理少年犯的重要方法。

2 administrator   

n.经营管理者，行政官员

参考例句：

• The role of administrator absorbed much of Ben's energy.行政职务耗掉本很多精力。
• He has proved himself capable as administrator.他表现出管理才能。

3 spoke   

n.（车轮的）辐条；轮辐；破坏某人的计划；阻挠某人的行动 v.讲，谈（speak的过去式）；说；演说；从某种观点来说

参考例句：

• They sourced the spoke nuts from our company.他们的轮辐螺帽是从我们公司获得的。
• The spokes of a wheel are the bars that connect the outer ring to the centre.辐条是轮子上连接外圈与中心的条棒。

4 offense   

n.犯规，违法行为；冒犯，得罪

参考例句：

• I hope you will not take any offense at my words. 对我讲的话请别见怪。
• His words gave great offense to everybody present.他的发言冲犯了在场的所有人。

5 tactic   

n.战略，策略；adj.战术的，有策略的

参考例句：

• Reducing prices is a common sales tactic.降价是常用的销售策略。
• She had often used the tactic of threatening to resign.她惯用以辞职相威胁的手法。