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Annales gratuites Bac Pro Secteur Industriel : Phoning while driving

Le sujet  2004 - Bac Pro Secteur Industriel - Anglais LV1 - Compréhension écrite Imprimer le sujet
LE SUJET

PHONING WHILE DRIVING IS THE ROAD TO DISASTER

A fierce debate has erupted following the Government's announcement that it's considering a ban on the use of mobile phones by all drivers. New legislation could outlaw the use of mobiles while at the wheel of any vehicle which has its engine running and that includes those stopped at traffic lights or in traffic jams.

Many drivers are unhappy. A mobile phone is a boon if you're late for a meeting or a romantic rendez-vous. And chatting to a family member or friend passes the time, reduces your stress level and makes life more bearable if you're stuck in an endless tailback. It also greatly enhances your sense of security if you're out at night in unfamiliar surroundings. In short, losing the right to use a mobile phone while driving would be a blow to many sensible, responsible people.

The big question is: would such a measure save lives? The answer is probably yes. Earlier this year, the Transport Research Laboratory published the results of a detailed scientific study of reaction and stopping times of drivers in various states of distraction and inebriation. Their findings were startling. It turned out that talking on a mobile is more dangerous than being just over the legal alcohol limit. And hands-free kits are almost as bad because it's the conversation rather than the handling of the phone that causes the distraction. Paper after paper added to the growing mountain of research support the idea that mobile phones and driving make a lethal cocktail. A Canadian team reported the risk of road accidents is more than a third higher in mobile phone users.

But there are some who argue the dangers of in-car mobile phones are exaggerated. The AA and the RAC have dismissed the proposals as unnecessary, claiming existing dangerous driving laws are sufficient and that, in any case, there are many other in-car distractions that are equally dangerous.

But the fact is a mobile phone, in the wrong place at the wrong time, can kill. More than 30 countries have already banned driving while using one. The UK used to be a world leader in road safety and our road accident death rate is one of the lowest in Europe as a result. But if we rest on our laurels, we'll pay the price in wreaths.

[The mobile phone ban will happen one day, it's as inevitable as the drink driving or the seat belt laws which were fiercely criticised at the time by many drivers, politicians and civil libertarians. They are all quiet now because the benefits of these regulations are beyond argument.]

So let Parliament prepare a new law banning mobiles while driving and let's implement it quickly. I believe the potential victims and their loved ones would approve, don't you?

Source: THE SUNDAY POST, August 25, 2002 (adapted)

VOCABULARY

to outlaw = déclarer illégal
a boon = une bénédiction
a tailback = un bouchon
to enhance = améliorer
startling = surprenant
lethal = mortel
AA / RAC = associations d'automobilistes britanniques
to dismiss = rejeter
a wreath = une couronne funéraire
civil libertarians = des défenseurs des libertés individuelles

TRAVAIL A FAIRE PAR LE CANDIDAT

A. Répondez en français aux questions suivantes, en utilisant uniquement les informations contenues dans le texte. Composez des phrases complètes et justifiez vos réponses.

    1. Quelle loi le gouvernement britannique envisage-t-il en matière de sécurité routière ?
    2. Citez au moins 4 aspects pratiques de l'utilisation du portable en voiture.
    3. Quels résultats surprenants l'étude effectuée par le laboratoire de recherche des transports britanniques révèle-t-elle ?
    4. Qu'a mis en évidence une équipe canadienne travaillant sur le même sujet ?
    5. Les associations d'automobilistes AA et RAC sont-elles convaincues du bien-fondé de cette proposition de loi ?
    6. L'auteur de l'article est-il favorable à la mesure envisagée par le gouvernement ? Pourquoi ?

B. Traduisez en français l'avant dernier paragraphe.

Paragraphe entre crochets, de "The mobile phone ban will happen..." à "...beyond argument."

C. Recopiez le paragraphe suivant en le complétant à l'aide des modaux ci-dessous, de manière à obtenir un énoncé cohérent.

MUST

MUSTN'T

CAN

SHOULDN'T

If you do not want to have an accident, you................use the phone while driving. indeed, according to the law, you................telephone and drive at the same time. Although you................use the telephone in the car if the engine is not running, you have no choice, you.................turn off your phone when you are driving.

D. Mettez le verbe entre parenthèses à la forme exigée par le contexte.

I (to have) a new mobile phone for two weeks. I (to get) it as a birthday present. Last night, I (to drive) my mother to the station when my sister called me. I answered and unfortunately I (to be stopped) by the police. I was fined one hundred pounds!

E. Can you suggest how to reduce the number of road accidents?
Answer in six to eight lines in ENGLISH.

LE CORRIGÉ

PHONING WHILE DRIVING IS THE ROAD TO DISASTER

A fierce debate has erupted following the Government's announcement that it's considering a ban on the use of mobile phones by all drivers. New legislation could outlaw the use of mobiles while at the wheel of any vehicle which has its engine running and that includes those stopped at traffic lights or in traffic jams.

Many drivers are unhappy. A mobile phone is a boon if you're late for a meeting or a romantic rendez-vous. And chatting to a family member or friend passes the time, reduces your stress level and makes life more bearable if you're stuck in an endless tailback. It also greatly enhances your sense of security if you're out at night in unfamiliar surroundings. In short, losing the right to use a mobile phone while driving would be a blow to many sensible, responsible people.

The big question is: would such a measure save lives? The answer is probably yes. Earlier this year, the Transport Research Laboratory published the results of a detailed scientific study of reaction and stopping times of drivers in various states of distraction and inebriation. Their findings were startling. It turned out that talking on a mobile is more dangerous than being just over the legal alcohol limit. And hands-free kits are almost as bad because it's the conversation rather than the handling of the phone that causes the distraction. Paper after paper added to the growing mountain of research support the idea that mobile phones and driving make a lethal cocktail. A Canadian team reported the risk of road accidents is more than a third higher in mobile phone users.

But there are some who argue the dangers of in-car mobile phones are exaggerated. The AA and the RAC have dismissed the proposals as unnecessary, claiming existing dangerous driving laws are sufficient and that, in any case, there are many other in-car distractions that are equally dangerous.

But the fact is a mobile phone, in the wrong place at the wrong time, can kill. More than 30 countries have already banned driving while using one. The UK used to be a world leader in road safety and our road accident death rate is one of the lowest in Europe as a result. But if we rest on our laurels, we'll pay the price in wreaths.

[The mobile phone ban will happen one day, it's as inevitable as the drink driving or the seat belt laws which were fiercely criticised at the time by many drivers, politicians and civil libertarians. They are all quiet now because the benefits of these regulations are beyond argument.]

So let Parliament prepare a new law banning mobiles while driving and let's implement it quickly. I believe the potential victims and their loved ones would approve, don't you?

Source: THE SUNDAY POST, August 25, 2002 (adapted)

VOCABULARY

to outlaw = déclarer illégal
a boon = une bénédiction
a tailback = un bouchon
to enhance = améliorer
startling = surprenant
lethal = mortel
AA / RAC = associations d'automobilistes britanniques
to dismiss = rejeter
a wreath = une couronne funéraire
civil libertarians = des défenseurs des libertés individuelles

TRAVAIL A FAIRE PAR LE CANDIDAT

A. Répondez en français aux questions suivantes, en utilisant uniquement les informations contenues dans le texte. Composez des phrases complètes et justifiez vos réponses.

    1. Quelle loi le gouvernement britannique envisage-t-il en matière de sécurité routière ?

Le gouvernement britannique envisage l'interdiction de l'utilisation d'un téléphone portable pour tout conducteur au volant d'un véhicule en marche, même à l'arrêt à un feu rouge ou dans un bouchon.

    2. Citez au moins 4 aspects pratiques de l'utilisation du portable en voiture.

Un portable est particulièrement pratique si vous êtes en retard pour une réunion ou à un rendez-vous galant. Bavarder avec un parent ou un ami permet de passer le temps quand on est pris dans un bouchon. Dans le même cas, il réduit le stress et rend la vie plus supportable. Il permet aussi de se sentir plus en sécurité la nuit dans un endroit inconnu.

    3. Quels résultats surprenants l'étude effectuée par le laboratoire de recherche des transports britanniques révèle-t-elle ?

Cette étude révèle qu'il est plus dangereux de parler dans son portable que d'avoir dépassé le taux légal d'alcoolémie. Les kits mains-libres sont presque aussi dangereux, parce que c'est la conversation elle-même, bien plus que la manipulation de l'appareil, qui provoque la distraction.

    4. Qu'a mis en évidence une équipe canadienne travaillant sur le même sujet ?

L'équipe canadienne a mis en évidence que le risque d'avoir un accident de la route est multiplié par plus d'un tiers chez les utilisateurs de téléphones mobiles.

    5. Les associations d'automobilistes AA et RAC sont-elles convaincues du bien-fondé de cette proposition de loi ?

Les associations d'automobilistes ne trouvent pas cette proposition de loi nécessaire. Elles affirment que les lois qui existaient déjà, concernant les conduites dangereuses sont suffisantes et qu'il y a d'autres causes de distraction quand on est en voiture.

    6. L'auteur de l'article est-il favorable à la mesure envisagée par le gouvernement ? Pourquoi ?

Bien qu'il considère que la sécurité routière au Royaume Uni est l'une des meilleures d'Europe, il pense qu'il ne faut pas en rester là, sous peine d'en payer le prix plus tard. il est donc favorable à la mesure envisagée par le gouvernement. Le Parlement doit préparer une loi et la faire appliquer rapidement. L'auteur croit que les victimes potentielles et leurs proches ne peuvent qu'être d'accord.

B. Traduisez en français l'avant dernier paragraphe.

Paragraphe entre crochets, de "The mobile phone ban will happen..." à "...beyond argument."

L'interdiction des téléphones portables se fera un jour ; c'est aussi inévitable que les lois concernant la conduite en état d'ivresse ou le port de la ceinture de sécurité, qui furent férocement critiquées à l'époque par bon nombre de conducteurs, de politiciens et de défenseurs des libertés individuelles. Ils se taisent tous aujourd'hui parce que les bénéfices apportés par ces réglementations ne sont plus discutables.

C. Recopiez le paragraphe suivant en le complétant à l'aide des modaux ci-dessous, de manière à obtenir un énoncé cohérent.

MUST

MUSTN'T

CAN

SHOULDN'T

If you do not want to have an accident, you shouldn't use the phone while driving. Indeed, according to the law, you mustn't telephone and drive at the same time. Although you can use the telephone in the car if the engine is not running, you have no choice, you must turn off your phone when you are driving.

D. Mettez le verbe entre parenthèses à la forme exigée par le contexte.

I have had a new mobile phone for two weeks. I got it as a birthday present. Last night, I was driving my mother to the station when my sister called me. I answered and unfortunately I was stopped by the police. I was fined one hundred pounds!

E. Can you suggest how to reduce the number of road accidents?
Answer in six to eight lines in ENGLISH.

Of course, I can suggest some measures to reduce the number of road acidents.
For example, existing driving laws should be implemented more strictly (speed and alcohol should be checked more frequently).
Moreover, all drivers should be regularly tested by a doctor (sight, reflexes) at least every ten years.
Roads should also be kept in good condition.
Driving would be safer then.

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