Safety in the car.Steering you to safety.

Driving a motor car provides a feeling of security, and people use this vital means of transport every day without encountering any threats to their personal safety. There are occasions when risks can occur, but these can be kept to a minimum by observing some basic precautions.

This is a series of guidelines prepared by the Police Community Relations Section in consultation with various community groups. These suggestions can equally apply to any driver.

Preparation is important to reduce the risk of breaking down in an isolated, poorly lit or unsavory area at night.

Make certain the car is in good repair and serviced regularly, the fuel gauge is accurate, and that you will not run out of petrol.

Keep a check on the air pressure of your tires and the condition of the spare tire.

If your car's performance is of concern, don't commence a journey, particularly a long trip, or drive at night.

Have some change or phone cards available should it become necessary to use a public telephone box.

Have a map with you, and know your route at night to avoid becoming lost, or having to stop to ask directions.

Carry a torch in the car and a personal alarm if it makes you feel comfortable.

Keep a pen and paper in the car. If you have to leave it for any reason, you may wish to leave a message behind.

If you have a mobile telephone, it is an advantage to keep it with you in the car in case of emergency.

If travelling alone or a non-routine journey, it may be a good idea to tell someone of your plans and expected arrival time.

Give the English equivalents.

Прежде чем начать путешествие, проверить давление воздуха шин, убедиться, столкнуться с нехваткой бензина, в случае крайней необходимости, предполагаемое время прибытия, небезопасное место, избегайте остановки ночью, проверить состояние запасных шин, если технические данные вашего авто вызывают беспокойство, фонарь.

Give the English equivalents.

To reduce the risk of breaking down, expected arrival time, in case of emergency, carry a torch in the car, stop to ask directions, phone cards available, if your car's performance is of concern, keep a check on the air pressure of tyres, make certain the car is in good repair and serviced regularly, poorly lit or unsavory area, torch, fuel gauge.

Discuss the following questions.

1. Why it is dangerous to break down in an isolated, poorly lit or unsavory area at night?

2. What must the travelers check before the journey?

3. Do drivers always carry spare tires? (What about you, your friends?)

4. Why is it necessary to have some change or phone cards?

5. What will you do if you lose your way?

6. What is advised to carry to feel comfortable?

7. Do people use the mobile phone only in case of emergency?

8. Do you drive at night? Why people (especially the youth) enjoy driving at night? Street racing and other kinds of racing are very popular among the youth. Why?

9. Is it cool to travel alone?

10. Where do people stop at night during the journey? Are they afraid of thefts?

Say if the following statements are true or false. Correct the false ones.

1. People use mobile phone only in case of emergency.

2. It’s safety to stop in an unknown area to ask help.

3. The car always must be in good repair and serviced regularly.

4. It’s safety to stop in an isolated, poorly lit or unsavory area at night.

5. You can always rely on your car.

6. It isn’t necessary to carry spare tyre.

7. Driving we don’t encounter any threat to our personal safety.

8. If you want to leave your car for any reason, you may wish not to lock the doors.

Translate the following sentences into Russian.

1. Проверьте техническое состояние вашего авто перед поездкой. 2. Небезопасно останавливаться ночью в слабо освещенном месте. 3. Вы проверили давление в шинах? 4. Убедитесь, что ваш автомобиль вас не подведет. 5. Телефонные карты также необходимы в пути, как фонарик и будильник. 6. Предположим, вы заблудились, куда вы будете звонить. 7. Сталкивались ли вы когда-либо с бандитами на дорогах? 8.Убедитесь, что вы следуете в правильном направлении. 9.Что необходимо брать с собой в поездку? 10. Предположим, у вас украли в дороге телефон, что вы будете делать.

Make up dialogues using the following situations.

1. Imagine you stopped at night in an unknown area. (Your actions, your behavior).

2. You were robbed on the road.

3. Your car was stolen.

4. Your mobile phone was out of order.

5. You have lost your way.

TEXT II

On the road.

1. Vocabulary to be remembered:

Read and translate the texts.

On the road.

Check your doors are locked before driving off, and if you need the windows open for fresh air, only have them open a few centimeters to prevent someone reaching through.

If you car starts to falter, stop in a safe place rather than continuing to your destination, risking a breakdown.

If you see someone with a car apparently broken down, consider whether they need assistance, particularly a woman alone. If the breakdown appears genuine, you could stop within calling range and speak through a partially open window, offering to telephone for assistance.

Do not pick up hitchhikers.

When halting at traffic lights, or intersections where there are not many people or vehicles about, be alert to any person approaching your car. Check the rear view mirror and be prepared to move off quickly if necessary, if someone does manage to jump into your car when it is temporarily halted, you can attract attention by flashing the headlights and using the horn. The objective should be to attract attention and escape from the car as quickly as possible, preferably at a place where there are people around.

Other motorists

If a passing motorist indicates to you to stop, keep driving to a busy area before getting out to check your vehicle.

If you think you are being followed, confirm your suspicions by making turns and staying on busy and brightly lit streets if at night.

If the other car continues to follow you, do not drive home revealing where you live. Drive to a Police station, open service station or similar place where you can call the Police. Try to note those details of the car that you can, registration number, colour, make, description of driver and direction the vehicle was last seen travelling in. If you have a mobile telephone, call the Police while you are being followed.

If a driver ahead of you deliberately forces you to stop by breaking or blocking the road, do not turn off the engine as you may stall when trying to restart.

If the driver gets out of the car and comes towards you, remain in your car with doors locked and windows shut. Sound your horn and flash your lights.

Look around to see if there is enough space behind to reverse and accelerate away. If there is no room to manoeuvre around the other driver's vehicle you may have to turn around and depart quickly from the rear direction.

If another motorist bumps into your car in a quiet or isolated area, do not get out of your car to check the damage or speak to the other driver. Drive to a place where there are other people before stopping. Note the registration number of the vehicle and report it to the Police if the other driver has not followed to exchange names and addresses.