Traffic jams are a common problem in large cities. In some cities, traffic jams get so bad during rush hour that it is sometimes     1    (fast) to walk than to drive. Traffic accidents are also a problem. Sadly, these problems are not easy to solve. However, a traffic system being tested in several cities in Northern Europe has led to some     2    (surprise) results.

The system     3    (call) “shared streets”. It is a system that has very few traffic laws. As a result, shared street areas have no traffic lights or street signs. Although most people would expect this to cause the number of traffic jams and accidents     4    (go) up, until now there has been     5     great drop in both. One reason     6    (be) that the shared streets system encourages people to be more     7    (care). Without traffic rules, people slow down and pay more attention     8     each other. Normal traffic systems, on the other hand, depend on signs,     9     people often miss or don’t follow, leading to accidents. Also, the shared streets system decreases traffic jams because without fixed (固定的) parking spaces, it is easier for cars to move around     10    (free) when there is a lot of traffic.

You can’t walk down the street without passing so-called “smart-phone zombies (僵尸).” They are too     1     (bury) in their screen to watch where they are going. Almost four in ten people admit having a technology-related small accident     2     they pay more attention to their electronic devices than to the pavement.

Recently the city of Honolulu, Hawaii,     3     (state) officially it’s time to take action and make it unlawful to cross the road while     4     (use) a smart phone. Those caught using phones or other electronic devices at crossing points could face a fine up     5     $100.

Honolulu is the first major U. S. city to ban (禁止) what is called “distracted walking”. It comes after a study found there had been more than 11,000     6     (injury) in the United States resulting from phone-related distraction while walking in the past few years. To explain the decision, mayor Kirk Caldwell said, “    7     (unfortunate), we hold the honor of being a major city     8     more pedestrians (行人) are hit in crosswalks than almost any other city in the country.”

However, the law does permit     9     exception (例外). Pedestrians can use such devices to call emergency services and rescue workers, such as firefighters. If you still want to text while walking, you could not     10     (fine) by using a voice-controlled digital assistant. Or you could just wait until you are again, safely, off the street.

A ban on distracted walking

You can‘t walk down the street without passing so-called “smart-phone zombies (僵尸)”.

They are too absorbed in their screen    1    (watch) where they are going. Almost four in ten people admit having suffered a technology-related small accident     2     they pay more attention to their electronic device than to the pavement.

Now the city of Honolulu, Hawaii, has decided it’s time to take immediate action and make it illegal to cross the road while using a mobile phone. Those     3     (catch) using phones, tablets or other electronic devices at crossing points could face a fine of up to$ 100.

Honolulu is the first major U. S. city to ban     4     is called “distracted walking”. It comes after a study found there     5     (be) more than 11,000 injuries in the United States resulting from phone-related distraction while walking in the past few years.

To explain the decision, mayor Kirk Caldwell said, “We hold the unfortunate honor of being a major city     6     more pedestrians are hit in crosswalks than almost any other city in the country.”

Under the fine systems     7     breaks this law for the first time will get a fine of $15 to $35. People breaking the law for a second or third time will get a $99 fine.

The law, which is called the Distracted Walking Law, does permit an exception. Pedestrians     8     use such devices in the street to call emergency services and rescue workers, such as firefighters and police officers.

If you still want to text while walking, you could avoid     9     (fine) in Honolulu by using a voice-controlled digital assistant such as Siri or Google Assistant. Or you could just wait     10     you are again, safely, off the street.