Japanese Car Keeps Watch for Drunk Drivers
The cars sensors check odors inside the car and monitor a drivers sweat for traces of alcohol.An in-car computer system can issue an alert or even lock up the ignition system if the driver seems over-the-limit.The air odor sensors are fixed firmly and deeply in the driver
Other carmakers have developed similar detection systems. For example,Swedens Volvo2 has developed a breathalyzer attached to a cars seat belt that drivers must blow into before the engine will start.
The car technology is still in development,but general manager Kazuhiro Doi says the combination of different detection systems should improve the overall effectiveness of the technology. For example,if the gear-shift sensor was bypassed by a passenger using it instead of the driver,the facial recognition system would still be used, Doi says.Nissan has no specific timetable for marketing the system,but aims to use technology to cut the number of fatalities involving its vehicles to half 1995 levels by 2015.
In the UK4,some research groups are using similar advanced techniques to understand driver behavior and the effectiveness of different road designs.
breathalyzer n.呼气酒精检测器 alertnessn.警惕5sensE5baIpB:sp
odor n.气味 facialadj.面部的
ignitionn.点火 tightenv.变紧,绑紧5drauzinisp
perspirationn.出汗 activatev.使活动,使激活5dAF7bC:dp
练习:
A It has a sensor system that could issue a warning if the driver is drunk.
C It has sensors locked up in the ignition system.
2. What has Volvo developed?
B A breathalyzer attached to a cars seat belt.
D An intelligent engine.
A It monitors the drivers eyes to see if he needs a rest.
C It judges if the driver wants to take a rest.
4. According to Doi,
B Nissan is making a timetable to market the detection system.
D Nissan aims to improve the detection technology to reduce the fatality rate.
A An external camera checks that the car is going properly.
C The seat belt will tighten when the driver is found drowsy.
答案与题解:
2. B 短文第三段告诉我们,沃尔沃公司也发明了一种相类似的酒精检测装置,安装在保险带上。所以B是正确选择。
4. D 短文第五段说,这种监测技术仍然在发展之中,使用不同的监测系统应能改进这项技术的整体有效性,所以A和C都不是正确选择。该段的最后一句说,日产公司并不准备将这种监测系统推向市场,但它的目标是使用这种技术到2015年将日产车的事故率年减少到 1995年的一半。所以B也不是正确选择,只有D表达了Doi的意思。