Smartphones have transformed the way we live in recent years, bringing high levels of convenience and accessibility that were unimaginable in the past. Any movie, song, or food is readily available at the swipe of a fingertip.
However, smartphones do have their disadvantages. One particular area __1__ they are causing problems is road safety. Phone overuse is putting not only drivers but also pedestrians in danger. Smartphone distractions lead to people not __2__ when they are crossing the street. Studies have indicated that texting or talking while one is walking may cause pedestrians inattentional blindness and lessen the awareness of one’s surroundings.
It is for this reason that in 2017, the town of Bodegraven in the Netherlands tested an innovative method to keep distracted smartphone users safe at pedestrian crossings. __3__, the town introduced traffic lights on the sidewalk in the hope that people looking down at their smartphones would see them. __4__ these red and green strips of light on the ground were welcomed by some, not everyone thought they were a good idea.
Photo taken from the Internet 照片：翻攝自網路
A representative of the Dutch Traffic Safety Association suggested that they would encourage smartphone users to __5__ rather than be aware of their surroundings. While the light strips are certainly a novel idea, the reality is that far more changes will need to be done to stop the trend of smartphone-related traffic accidents once and for all.
近年來，智慧型手機改變了我們的生活方式，帶來了過去難以想像的高度便利性和易用性。指尖在螢幕上一滑，任何電影、歌曲或食物都可以快速便利地取得。
然而，智慧型手機也有缺點。其造成問題的一個特定領域是道路安全。過度使用手機不僅讓駕駛人處於危險之中，行人也是如此。智慧型手機讓人分心，會導致人們在過馬路時注意力不集中。研究顯示，邊走邊發訊息或通話可能會讓行人有不注意視盲並削弱對周圍環境的察覺力。
正是出於這個原因，荷蘭的Bodegraven小鎮於2017年試驗了一種創新方法，以確保分心的智慧型手機使用者在行人穿越道上的安全。具體來說，該小鎮在人行道上安裝了紅綠燈，希望低頭看智慧型手機的人能看到燈號。雖然有些人很支持地面上這些條狀的紅綠燈光，但並不是所有人都認為這些燈號是個好主意。
荷蘭交通安全協會的一名代表說這些燈號會助長智慧型手機使用者繼續看手機，而不是注意周遭環境。雖然這些條狀燈號的確是個新穎的點子，但現實情況是需要做出更多改變，才能一勞永逸地遏止與智慧型手機相關的交通事故趨勢。
What Did You Learn?
1. (A) which (B) what (C) when (D) where
2. (A) taking charge (B) paying attention (C) looking forward (D) making progress
3. (A) Specifically (B) Occasionally (C) Consequently (D) Unfortunately
4. (A) Despite (B) Since (C) Unless (D) Although
5. (A) rely on phones for road safety (B) stick to traditional traffic lights (C) continue looking at their phones (D) ignore the traffic lights on the ground
參考答案
1. (D) 2. (B) 3. (A) 4. (D) 5. (C)
Word in Use
1. addict n. 上癮的人
My brother is a video game addict. He plays for more than 10 hours every day.
我哥哥是對電動上癮的人。他每天打電動超過十小時。
2. transform vt. 使轉變
The invention of computers has transformed the way we work.
電腦的發明改變了我們工作的方式。
3. convenience n. 方便，便利
My mom likes the convenience of living close to a supermarket.
我媽媽喜歡住在超市附近的便利性。
4. readily adv. 快速便利地
readily available 快速便利地取得，隨時都有
ATMs are readily available in the city.
在都市裡很輕易就能找到自動提款機。
5. disadvantage n. 缺點
One disadvantage of this building material is its high price.
這種建材的一個缺點是價格昂貴。
Practical Phrases
1. come alive 變得生動有趣
The teacher used videos to make the history of the railway come alive.
那位老師用影片讓鐵道歷史變得生動有趣。
2. put. . . in danger 使……處於危險之中
Your inappropriate action may have put us in great danger.
你不妥當的行動有可能會讓我們陷入極大的危險之中。
3. in (the) hope + that 子句 希望……
The nation launched the program in the hope that people would be more culturally tolerant.
該國推行那項計畫，希望能使人民在文化上更加寬容。
聽文章朗讀及講解: https://ivy.pse.is/455bfu
本文出自常春藤解析英語雜誌: www.ivy.com.tw
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