Traffic may consist of pedestrians, vehicles, even animals on roads. There are many regulations concerning traffic to ensure everyone’s safety. Traffic laws are the rules that everyone must follow while using public roads. There is a large network of roads across modern countries including narrow country lanes, wider roads and motorways with fast traffic. Left-hand driving is mandatory in Hungary and most European countries, except the UK and Ireland. Right-hand traffic means that all traffic is generally required to keep right and in roundabouts all participants go counterclockwise. Left-hand traffic keeps left and in roundabouts you need to drive clockwise. Usually there are different speed limits in force on different types of roads.  

The road charges in the UK are paid by collecting a road tax that drivers must pay every 6-12 months. It allows the driver to use their car legally on any road in the country. In Hungary, motorways can be used only by paying a fee. Roads for which a fee is payed for passage are called toll roads.

If you would like to drive a car, a motorbike, a truck or a bus, first you need to get a driver’s license. To get the license you have to pass a driving test, and in some countries a first-aid test too. There are different categories of license for different types of motor vehicles. The minimum driving age for cars and motorcycles in the UK and in Hungary is 17. In the UK there is a written test, called ‘theory‘, and an actual driving test, called ‘practical‘. The Hungarian system is the same, although applicants need to pass a first-aid test too.

The Highway Code in the United Kingdom is a set of information, advice and rules for all road users. A part of the code is about traffic signs that everyone has to know. You can see traffic signs or road signs at the side of the outer lane or above roads. Traffic signs provide information or instructions to road users, drivers and pedestrians. Many countries use pictorial signs and other simple standard signs so that everyone can understand them easily. The picture signs use symbols instead of words and they usually follow international protocols. Standardised traffic regulations and signs in European countries make travel and using roads safer. There are still some country-specific exceptions, so it is important to be aware what road signs we can meet while travelling in a foreign country.

Driving vocabulary practice

I. Road signs to remember!

1. a U-shaped bend in the road

2. this is the section of road through which you can enter a motorway

3. a street with only one inlet/outlet

4. a type of road junction with a central island in the middle

5. a motorway you can only use if you pay

6. an intersection of a railroad track and a road at the same level

7. the section of road through which you can leave a motorway

8. a strip parallel to the motorway, reserved for emergency stops

II. Road traffic offences

1. If you drive too fast, you get a ………………..

a) speed ticket
b) speeding ticket

2. If you park your car on the road in a busy street, it will be ………………..

a) towed away
b) pulled away

3. If you drink alcohol before driving you’ll be accused of ………………..

a) drunk driving
b) drink driving

4. If you don’t pay the parking fee, you get a ………………..

a) parking ticket
b) parker’s ticket

5. For illegal parking you can get a ……………….. .

a) tyre clamp
b) wheel clamp

6. You have to pay a fine if you are caught ……………….. .

a) crossing the red light
b) running a red light

7. If someone is involved in an accident and leaves the scene, it is a ……………….. accident.

a) hit and run
b) kill and run

8. For a serious offence you can lose your ……………….. for a period of time.

a) driving license
b) license plate

answers:

I. 1-f 2-d 3-g 4-a 5-c 6-b 7-e 8-h
II. 1-b 2-a 3-b 4-a 5-b 6-b 7-a 8-a

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