和谐英语

您现在的位置是:首页 > 英语听力 > 英语听力材料

正文

该立法禁止驾车时发短信?

2009-04-05来源:和谐英语


音频下载[点击右键另存为]
Texting while driving. Statistics say it’s the number one driver distraction. And it's also something Karol Smith fears everyday.

"It's kinda scary."

As the mother of a teenage driver, it's not her son she's most worried about texting. It's the other drivers on the roads who have admitted sending text messages while driving.

"When he first started out on his own, it's the most sickening feeling because, you know, you see all the people out there. You know, I hate to say it, but you see all the mums out there on their cell phones, not paying any attention to anybody."

And 22 year-old John Henderson knows the story all too well.

"One of my friends texted me, and I looked down there for a split second, and then I just… for I knew I had hit him."

But his wreck is the only one of the thousands related to cell phone use.

"Anytime your full concentration is not on driving that vehicle, you become a danger. And all (it) really takes is to go to one tragedy accident scene and sees people that are seriously injured, worse yet, killed and understand that accident could easily have been preventable."

Text-messaging while driving may seem like the best opportunity to multitask. But studies show that text-messaging while driving could be as much as four times more dangerous than drunk driving and now law makers are cracking down.

“This bill simply says you can not send, or read text-messaging while operating a motor vehicle on public highways in Alabama.”

Representative McClendon wrote the bill which was approved by the Health Public Safety Committee and will now go to the rest of the House for consideration. But back to this Midwest residence, Karol is skeptical that the legislation will work.

"I would love for it to work, I really would. But I think it's just gonna be one more law they can't enforce."

Even that doesn't take away the worry of a mother.

"I think I’m probably like a lot of mums, you just pray for your children that they won't hurt anybody, and nobody will hurt them."

For ABC News On Campus, I’m Melissa Johnson

Vocabulary:

1.       sickening: very shocking, annoying, or upsetting

2.       wreck: accident involving cars or other vehicles

3.       worse yet: 更糟的是

4.       Text-messaging: 短信(U)

5.       crack down: to become more strict in dealing with a problem and punishing the people involved