Themotorvehiclehaskilledanddisabledmorepeopleinitsbrief...

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问题详情：

The motor vehicle has killed and disabled more people in its brief history than any bomb or weapon ever invented. Much of the blood on the street flows essentially from uncivil behavior of drivers who refuse to respect the legal and moral rights of others. So the massacre (大*)on the road may be regarded as a social problem .

In fact, the enemies of society on wheels are rather harmless people just ordinary people acting carelessly, you might say. But it is a principle both of law and common morality that carelessness is no excuse when one’s actions could bring death or damage to others. A minority of the killers go even beyond carelessness to total negligence.

Researchers have estimated that as many as 80 percent of all automobile accidents can be attributed to the psychological condition of the driver. Emotional upsets can distort drivers’ reactions, slow their judgment, and blind them to dangers that might otherwise be evident. The experts warn that it is vital for every driver to make a conscious effort to keep one’s emotions under control.

Yet the irresponsibility that accounts for much of the problem is not confined to drivers. Street walkers regularly violate traffic regulations, they are at fault in most vehicle walker accidents; and many cyclists even believe that they are not subject to the basic rules of the road.

Significant legal advances have been made towards safer driving in the past few years. Safety standards for vehicle have been raised both at the point of manufacture and through periodic road-worthiness inspections. In addition, speed limits have been lowered. Due to these measures, the accident rate has decreased. But the accidents experts still worry because there has been little or no improvement in the way drivers’ behave. The only real and lasting solution, say the experts, is to convince people that driving is a skilled task requiring constant care and concentration. Those who fail to do all these things present a threat to those with whom they share the road.

16. What is the author’s main purpose in writing this passage?

A. To warn drivers of the importance of safe driving.

B. To discuss traffic problems and propose possible solutions.

C. To show that the motor vehicle is a very dangerous invention.

D. To promote understanding between careless drivers and street walkers.

17. The reason why traffic accidents may be regarded as a social problem is that _____.

A. autos have become most destructive to mankind

B. people usually pay little attention to law and morality

C. the lack of virtue is becoming more severe

D. civilization brings much harm to people

18. Why does the author mention the psychological condition of the driver in Paragraph 3?

A. To give an example of the various reasons for road accidents.