Describe a traffic rule or law you know about.
You should say:
- what it is
- how you know about it
- whether you follow this rule/law or not
and explain why this rule is important.
[You will have to talk about the topic for one to two minutes. You have one minute to think about what you’re going to say. You can make some notes to help you if you wish.]
Model Answer 1:
I am no traffic law expert nor would I be able to separate the traffic laws of one particular country from another. But, I like to believe for sure that each and every country in the world has its own set of traffic laws to maintain order and discipline on their roads. Today, I would like to talk about one such traffic law in my country which I know and admire.
The law, I am talking about, is a law that allows the traffic authority of my country to punish a drunk driver by suspending his driver’s licence for a long period of time and then putting him into prison for 2 years. In addition to these punishments, the authority is also allowed to issue them a traffic ticket of some hefty amount of money.
By the way, I learned about this particular traffic law, in addition to all other traffic laws of my country, because I needed to learn about these laws in order to get a driver’s license after passing the written test as well as a road test. I also think that this kind of strict (perhaps even more strict than the one my country has now) laws are there in many other countries of the world, but there also may be a country or two, like Costa Rica, where it is not illegal to drink an alcoholic beverage while driving.
Anyway, I am sure that such countries have their reasons for not enacting a law against drinking alcohol and driving, but I sure am glad that we have such a law in my country, and I sure try to follow this rule word by word.
Anyway, I think that such a law is very important for a country like mine where roads and streets are always crowded with all kinds of vehicles. This particular law has certainly helped my country by reducing the number of deadly accidents over the years. Besides, this law is important not only because it helps reduce the loss of life, but also unnecessary financial loss, especially, when vehicles are severely damaged in accidents.
Sample Answer 2:
Traffic laws or traffic regulations are in place to ensure the safety of the vehicles, passengers, drivers and other people. While some traffic laws are universal, some vary country to country or even state to state. ‘Drunk Driving Law’ is a common traffic law that I learned while I prepared for the driving licence test a few years ago.
The Drunk Driving law prohibits drivers to drive a motorised vehicle when they are under the influence of alcohol or any other drugs, including any type of recreational drugs or those prescribed by the physicians. The acceptable limit of blood alcohol content may vary from country to country but the main objective of this law is to prohibit people who are incapable of operating a motor vehicle on the road due to the influence of alcohol or any other drugs.
Before taking the driving licence test, I had to prepare for a written test and from there I learned about many traffic laws and regulations including this ‘Drunk Driving Law’. As part of my preparation for the test, I also browsed a few websites and online resources to learn more about it.
Safe driving is a top-most priority for me. I often drive when my family members sit in the car. As a law-abiding citizen, I try to follow every traffic rules in place. I have never been charged or even fined for any traffic rule violation and that, I guess, proves that I abide by the traffic rules very strictly.
Why is Drunk Driving law important? – Well, all over the world traffic accidents are predominantly caused by driving under alcohol and drug influence. If this law not in place, the outcome would have been more catastrophic. One of the main reasons for youth mortality in Europe these days is driving under influence. More than $60 billion damages are caused by this single reason each year. Driving while drunk is a criminal offence and this law prevents many accidents and damages on the roads. No doubt this is quite an important traffic law that safeguards many lives and ensures safety on the road.
Sample Answer 3:
Driving a vehicle is really fun. But to derive the fun, one should know about the traffic rules and abide by them. Stopping the vehicle on a red light or stop sign is one of those rules that every driver should follow. I thank you for this nice Candidate Task Card and for the time you have allowed to talk about it.
In fact, a red light is considered as the stop sign on roads and streets. When the red light is on, it means that the vehicles plying on the roads should stop for a certain moment until the red light turns green. In this time, usually, pedestrians cross the street or another road is kept open for vehicle movement. Besides, the sign of red light is also used to stop the vehicles in case of emergencies. Moreover, the red lights on the vehicles also refer to the same. When those are on while driving, it denotes the cars are about to stop. Hence, it appears that the use of the red light is diversified.
When I was 18, I learnt driving from a professional school. I learnt about the law from that school. In fact, I had some ideas about the red light but was unaware of the complete use of the sign and about the law. Usually, when the red light is on at the streets, the drivers are to stop their vehicles near the pole where the lights are mounted. Besides, the light is also used for indicating danger ahead in any parts of the streets. So, I was glad learning about the use of red lights on the streets. Now, the lights are found in traffic signals and behind the cars.
Of course, I follow the rule. In fact, this is a law in the USA to follow the red light signals. If someone does not follow the red light while driving, it often considered as a serious offence and the drivers are even punished to some extent if they do not follow the sign. Actually, if the red light signal is violated, there are lots of chances of accidents. While I was learning to drive a car, my instructor told me to always follow the red light signals. So, whenever I am on the street with my Dodge Challenger, I try to follow all the traffic rules and especially the red light sign.
Following traffic rules is mandatory for each of the drivers on the street. If they do not follow the rules, especially the red light meant to stop the vehicle, a massive disorder may take place. The chances are more on junctions or on crossroads. When a driver does not follow the stop signal and drives the vehicle, certainly there will be some negative consequences. The stop/ start signs are synchronised on the street- when there is a red light on a corner, it means there is a green light in somewhere else of the same junction. So, if a driver avoids the red light from his corner, surely he is to create a disorder on the street. The consequences are highly detrimental for everyone on the street. Therefore, it is important to follow the red light or stop signals while driving on the road.
More Ideas to talk about this Cue Card/ Candidate Task Card topic:
Topic: Describe a traffic rule or law you know about.
1. In Thailand, it takes a person to reach at least 18 years to get the drivers’ license. I came to know about the fact when I went to learn driving at a local driving school. I have crossed 18 in last year and now I am eligible to have my own driving license. People below 18 are immature and usually causes accidents. So, they are not allowed to get the license. Considering the ground, the rule is important for Thailand.
2. Within the urban areas of Germany, the speed limit is set to 50 km per hour. This is a great rule to follow and I came to know about it a few years ago when I started driving in Dortmund. I follow the rule exactly. First of all, the rule is made for the security of drivers, vehicles, and properties. Usually, the urban areas are crowded and driving at a high speed may bring devastation. So, the rule is important to follow.
3. Unnecessary beeping horns are prohibited in Australia. I came to know about the matter during my first ride in the country after migrating from New Zealand. I always try to follow the rule. Maintaining silence is a must to prevent sound pollution in the country. So, the drivers are trained to drive silently and they only beep the horn when there are chances of collisions. So, I think the rule is highly important.
4. Using seatbelts has been made compulsory for the passenger in the front seat of a car across Qatar. I went in a short visit in the country and sat on the front seat of a car. The car driver informed me about the matter. And since then, I started following the rule. In fact, using the seatbelts in the front seat helps to prevent an accident. The riders in the front seats are at risks of serious damages if there is an accident. But the seatbelts help to prevent them from falling out of the car while the airbag also helps to stop them falling. No seatbelt means a higher risk of life.
5. Drinking alcohol while driving is not allowed in Malaysia. It increases the chances of an accident. I came to know from a newspaper about the matter. I obviously follow the rule. In fact, I am not an alcoholic and so, I do not have chances to drink while driving. This rule helps to save lives. Earlier, many of the accidents had happened as the drivers were drunk. Even some of them lost their lives. So, the rule is important to save lives while driving.
Other traffic rules and regulations that you can talk about for this cue card topic:
1. Observing and following traffic signs.
2. Maintaining the speed limit.
3. Stopping if there has been a collision.
4. Driving without a licence or with a suspended licence is a law violation.
5. Reckless driving.
6. Speeding.
7. Unlawful vehicle modifications.
8. Illegal U-turn.
9. Hit and Run.
10. Child safety belts and passenger restraint requirements.
11. Accidents and accident report.
12. Driving without insurance.
13. Driving without registration.
14. Running a red light / stop sign.