英國(guó)政府表示，今年年底之前，自動(dòng)駕駛車(chē)輛可能會(huì)被允許上路。英國(guó)交通部（The Department for Transport）表示，自動(dòng)車(chē)道保持系統(tǒng)（ALKS）將會(huì)是第一種合法的免握方向盤(pán)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(xiàng)計(jì)劃被宣傳為允許自動(dòng)駕駛車(chē)輛在英國(guó)道路上行駛的第一步，但從實(shí)際角度講，該計(jì)劃并不算革命性。

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(jì)劃如期推行，裝載了自動(dòng)車(chē)道保持技術(shù)的汽車(chē)就可以合法在高速公路上行駛，只要時(shí)速不超過(guò)37英里，司機(jī)就可以不用控制方向盤(pán)，不過(guò)前提是所使用的技術(shù)已得到官方批準(zhǔn)。

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(kāi)始很難找到能從這個(gè)變化中受益的汽車(chē)。許多現(xiàn)有車(chē)輛已經(jīng)能夠在高速公路上自動(dòng)轉(zhuǎn)向、加速和剎車(chē)。但關(guān)鍵的是，這些車(chē)輛仍然需要司機(jī)的密切注視。

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(guó)政府認(rèn)為，從長(zhǎng)遠(yuǎn)來(lái)看，自動(dòng)駕駛技術(shù)將改善道路安全，減少排放。但英國(guó)汽車(chē)協(xié)會(huì)警告，需要進(jìn)行更多測(cè)試，而且我們不應(yīng)急著讓司機(jī)的雙手離開(kāi)方向盤(pán)。

詞匯表

self-driving 自動(dòng)駕駛
automated 自動(dòng)化的
lane-keeping 使車(chē)輛保持在車(chē)道內(nèi)
motorways 高速公路
input 參與，投入
speeds 速度
vehicles 車(chē)輛
steer 掌方向盤(pán)
accelerate 加速
brake 制動(dòng)，剎車(chē)
monitored 被密切注視
wheel 方向盤(pán)

閱讀理解：請(qǐng)?jiān)谧x完上文后，回答下列問(wèn)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.