On the road: Traffic and driving

1. UK driving and traffic regulations
Note the collocations
_ You must give way at a give-way sign. On a roudabout, traffic coming from your right has the right of way. (is allowed to go before other traffic).
_ Souding/hooting/tooting your horn is prohibited except in emergencies.
_ Jumping (not stopping at) a red light is a serious offence.
_ Reckless driving (very dangerous driving, without any care for others) is also a very serious offence.
_ Drink-driving may result in a heavy fine or imprisonment (hình phạt tù).
_ You may be asked to take a breathalyser (instrument you breathe into to measure alcohol level) test.
_ Hit-and-run (running over or into someone and not shopping) accidents are extremely serious and could result in a ban (removal of one's driving licence) for several years and/or imprisonment.
_ Less serious offences may result in penalty points (negative points on your licence which are added up over time).
_ On-the-spot fines (given at the scene of the offence) may be issued for careless driving and other offences.
_ Exhaust emissions (waste gases produced by the vehicle) must meet goverment standards, and the car must be roadworthy (in a condition that it can be driven safely), which includes a minimum depth of tyre tread (the depth of grooves in the tyre rubber).

2. Traffic problems
Note the words in bold in these comments by people talking about driving problems they have experienced and other events on the road.
_ It was the rush hour, and there was a long tailback (xe cộ nối đuôi nhau) on the motorway. (line of slow or stopped traffic)
_ There was a pile-up (n- vụ đâm xe cộ). (crash between serveral or many cars) involving ten cars, because of the fog, so the road was closed and we were diverted (directed away from our road) on to a narrow country lane.
_ I had stupidly parked in a towaway zone and came back to find my car had gone! (area where your car may be taken away if you park illegally)
_ I just parked for a few minutes outside station, but when I came out my car had been clamped (v- bị kẹp chặt). (fitted with a metal device on the wheel to prevent it from moving)
_ I saw two men fighting next to their cars. I think it was a case of road rage. (anger or violence between drivers because of difficult driving conditions)
_ The road was wet and I skidded on a bend and almost crashed. (lost control of the steering)
_ There was a head-on collision (two vehicles hitting each other directly in the front) on the main road between here and the next village last night. Luckily, both cars had air bags and the drivers survived.

Radio annoucemnt: There was an accident at the junction between the A476 and the A53 this morning involving a lorry carrying a load of glue. Traffic has been stuck there for the last three hours.

_ We can't park here; it's a towaway zone
_ There was a five-mile tailback on the motorway because of road works.
_ Fog caused a number of pile-ups, one of which involed 15 cars.
_ If it's a give-away sign, you don't have to stop of the road is clear, but if it's a stop sign, then you must always stop.
_ Who has the right of way at a corner in your country? Cars or pedestrian (người đi bộ)?
_ It was a hit-and-run accident, but the police have a description of the car.
_ The permitted level of exhaust emissions is to be lowered in an attempt to reduce air pollution in big cities.
_ He was given a breathalyser test and it was discovered he had consumed a huge amount of alcohol. He was charged with drink-driving and fined $500.
_ In some countries drivers sound/hoot/toot their horns just because they get frustrated. As a result, the city streets are increadibly noisy.

1. I came out and saw a big metal thing on my wheels
_ Oh, so you wheels had been clamped!
2. As I drove round the corner there was some ice on the road and I lost control of the steering.
_ Oh, so you skidded? (v- trượt)
3. The policeman looked at my tyres and said they were illegal.
_ Oh, so you didn't have the minimum depth of tyre tread?
4. The road was closed. Two lorries had come straight at each other and crashed.
_ Oh, so it was a head-on collision/crash.
5. The policeman fined me $100 there and then. I have to pay it within seven days.
_ Oh, really? I didn't know they could give on-the-spot fines.
6. The man at the garage said my car wasn't in a fit condition to be driven legally.
_ Oh, so it's not roadworthy