1 . As in other countries, road safety is always a concern in America. Studies show that in 2022, 7,485 pedestrians (行人) were killed by vehicles in the U.S. That’s an increase of more than 65% since 2012. Even during COVID-19, when fewer people were driving, more pedestrians were hit and more died.
Researchers found that drivers took advantage of empty streets and pay little attention to traffic rules. Another factor is the increasing popularity of SUVs, pickups (皮卡) and vans. These kinds of vehicles are up to three times more dangerous than smaller cars when hit pedestrians. The more fault drivers believe they could bear for the hitting, the more likely they are to leave without giving any help. Younger male drivers are more likely to run away. So are those who get drunken or lack a driving license. Other factors include the age of the victim, as children and elderly people are less likely to be left alone. Also, with more witnesses around, the drivers are less likely to hit and run.
In the U.S. drivers run away from serious crashes with pedestrians about 20% of the time, and the rate is very different among different states.
In 2020, 6,519 pedestrians were killed in the U.S. Speeding driving were a major cause. While Florida “wins” the least number of deaths caused by speeding. These following states were reported to have the most dangerous road accidents.
Ten most dangerous states for pedestrians
| A．Road security worries Americans. |
| B．Pedestrian are on the rise over time. |
| C．COVID-19 caused more road accidents. |
| D．Vehicles have doubled since 2012. |
| A．Cars. | B．SUVs. | C．Pickups. | D．Vans. |
| A．Young drivers are more likely to be honest. |
| B．Drunken driving is now allowed in America. |
| C．Children and the old are well protected in the U.S. |
| D．Drivers are more honest if witnessed by more people. |
| A．New Mexico. | B．New York. |
| C．Florida. | D．South Carolina. |
2 . You may never be in an emergency situation(紧急情况). But if it happens, you should know how to get help. The telephone book in the United States has emergency numbers on the inside front cover.
Look at the following table from the Boston telephone book. Notice that the numbers for the police and the fire department(消防处) are the same. And it is an easy number to remember.
If you are too unhappy or excited to remember any numbers at all, you can simply dial(拨打) “0” for an operator(接线员) in any emergency situation.
1. What number do you dial if you see a fire in Boston?
| A．911. | B．876-5800. | C．482-5252. | D．223-6978. |
| A．911. | B．023-1500. | C．223-6978. | D．025-4774. |
| A．911. | B．645-1212. | C．025-4774. | D．482-5252. |
| A．the doctor | B．an ambulance | C．the police | D．the fire department |
| A．The police. | B．The doctor. | C．The fire department. | D．The operator. |
