英國政府表示，今年年底之前，自動駕駛車輛可能會被允許上路。英國交通部（The Department for Transport）表示，自動車道保持系統（ALKS）將會是第一種合法的免握方向盤的駕駛方式。
This plan is being billed as a first step towards allowing self-driving cars on British roads, but in practical terms, it’s less than revolutionary.
這項計劃被宣傳為允許自動駕駛車輛在英國道路上行駛的第一步，但從實際角度講，該計劃並不算革命性。
If it goes ahead, it’ll allow cars with automated lane-keeping technology to be used legally on motorways without input from the driver at speeds of up to 37 miles per hour, provided the technology being used has official approval.
如果計劃如期推行，裝載瞭自動車道保持技術的汽車就可以合法在高速公路上行駛，隻要時速不超過37英裡，司機就可以不用控制方向盤，不過前提是所使用的技術已得到官方批準。
Yet finding cars able to benefit from the change will be difficult at first. Many current vehicles already have the ability to steer, accelerate and brake for themselves on motorways. But crucially, they still need to be monitored by the driver.
然而，一開始很難找到能從這個變化中受益的汽車。許多現有車輛已經能夠在高速公路上自動轉向、加速和剎車。但關鍵的是，這些車輛仍然需要司機的密切註視。
The government believes that in the longer term, self-driving technology will make the roads safer and reduce emissions. But the AA has warned that more testing is needed and that we should not be in a race to take drivers’ hands off the wheel.
英國政府認為，從長遠來看，自動駕駛技術將改善道路安全，減少排放。但英國汽車協會警告，需要進行更多測試，而且我們不應急著讓司機的雙手離開方向盤。
詞匯表
self-driving 自動駕駛
automated 自動化的
lane-keeping 使車輛保持在車道內
motorways 高速公路
input 參與，投入
speeds 速度
vehicles 車輛
steer 掌方向盤
accelerate 加速
brake 制動，剎車
monitored 被密切註視
wheel 方向盤
閱讀理解：請在讀完上文後，回答下列問題。
1. True or false? According to the text, the plan is not completely new in practical terms.
2. If the plan moves ahead, how fast are cars with automated lane-keeping technology allowed to go without the drivers’ input?
3. What will be one of the first problems encountered if the plan succeeds?
4. What has the AA warned about self-driving technology?
答案
1. True or false? According to the text, the plan is not completely new in practical terms.
True. In practical terms, it’s less than revolutionary.
2. If the plan moves ahead, how fast are cars with automated lane-keeping technology allowed to go without the drivers’ input?
Up to 37 miles per hour, provided the technology being used has official approval.
3. What will be one of the first problems encountered if the plan succeeds?
Finding cars able to benefit from the change will be difficult at first.
4. What has the AA warned about self-driving technology?
It has warned that more testing is needed and that we should not be in a race to take drivers’ hands off the wheel.
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