> 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 taikback. 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 resaerch 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 thid 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?

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 libertarains = 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 et en justifiant vos réponses.

8 points : A1 = 1 pt - A2 = 2 pt - A3 = 2 pt - A4 = 1 pt - A5 = 1 pt - A6 = 1 pt

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 (// //) (4 points)

C- Recopiez le paragraphe suivant en le complétant à l'aide des modaux ci-dessous, de manière à obtenir un énoncé cohérent (2):
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 (2)
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. (4)