(Level: upper-intermediate / B2 to C1 / ***)
 |
| Eating and drinking while driving Photo credit: www.motorauthority.com |
A man from Alabama got into trouble with the Cobb County police in Georgia because he allegedly breached the distracted driving laws (*).
 |
| Alabama, USA Map credit: en.wikipedia.org |
 |
| Cobb County, Georgia, USA Map credit: earthondrive.com |
 |
| Georgia, USA Map credit: eng.wikipedia.org |
(*)
"Distracted driving is any action that could divert a driver's attention away from the primary task of driving."
(Definition found on www.distraction.gov)
Distracted driving includes texting, using a mobile phone, talking to passengers, eating and drinking, reading (including road maps), using a navigation system, watching a video, adjusting a radio etc.
Click on the above-mentioned website if you want to know more!
You are going to watch a CNN report focusing on Mr. Turner who was pulled over by the police and ticketed for distracted driving.
Before watching:
The following words could be useful:
to be ticketed: to be served with a notice of legal violation / to be fined faire l'objet d'un procès-verbal / recevoir une contravention
to be pulled over: to be stopped or be asked by the police to bring one's vehicle to a halt by the side of the road être contraint de s'arrêter sur le bas-côté... / être intercepté dans son véhicule...
a drive-through: a window (at a restaurant) to which customers drive up to be served un service-au-volant
 |
| A drive-through Photo credit: ici.radio-canada.ca |
 |
| a Double Quarter Pounder burger with cheese Photo credit: mcdonalds.com.au |
to write someone up: to write a report e.g. about someone établir un rapport / un constat sur qqn.
erratically: in a way so as to deviate from the proper conduct or behaviour +/-dangereusement
an attorney (US): a lawyer qualified to represent clients in legal proceedings avocat
DUI attorney (US): a lawyer qualified to represent clients who drove under the influence, i.e. who drove while being drunk e.g. (DUI = driving under the influence)
a citation: a summons, especially to appear in court une citation à comparaître
While watching:
Answer the following questions:
1. Why was the driver given a ticket and a citation?
2. Could he be sentenced after all? Explain.
You can also watch the video on the CNN website: click HERE
When you are finished, you can check your answers:
1
Les policiers ont estimé que le conducteur s'est livré à une conduite risquée / inattentive en mangeant son hamburger au volant de sa voiture (sur une distance de deux miles / plus de trois kilomètres); il a donc enfreint la loi portant sur la conduite inattentive.
2
Probablement pas!
- L'avocat interrogé dit que si c'était inscrit dans la loi, il faudrait engager plus d'avocats parce que tout le monde mange (un hamburger?) au volant, y compris lui!
- C'est selon le même avocat la première fois qu'un conducteur se voit condamné à une amende et à une citation à comparaître pour cause de consommation d'un hamburger au volant! En plus, il n'a provoqué aucun accident!
No comments:
Post a Comment