英国政府表示，今年年底之前，自动驾驶车辆可能会被允许上路。英国交通部（The Department for Transport）表示，自动车道保持系统（ALKS）将会是第一种合法的免握方向盘的驾驶方式。

This plan is being billed as a first step towards allowing self-driving cars on British roads, but in practical terms, it's less than revolutionary.

这项计划被宣传为允许自动驾驶车辆在英国道路上行驶的第一步，但从实际角度讲，该计划并不算革命性。

If it goes ahead, it'll allow cars with automated lane-keeping technology to be used legally on motorways without input from the driver at speeds of up to 37 miles per hour, provided the technology being used has official approval.

如果计划如期推行，装载了自动车道保持技术的汽车就可以合法在高速公路上行驶，只要时速不超过37英里，司机就可以不用控制方向盘，不过前提是所使用的技术已得到官方批准。

Yet finding cars able to benefit from the change will be difficult at first. Many current vehicles already have the ability to steer, accelerate and brake for themselves on motorways. But crucially, they still need to be monitored by the driver.

然而，一开始很难找到能从这个变化中受益的汽车。许多现有车辆已经能够在高速公路上自动转向、加速和刹车。但关键的是，这些车辆仍然需要司机的密切注视。

The government believes that in the longer term, self-driving technology will make the roads safer and reduce emissions. But the AA has warned that more testing is needed and that we should not be in a race to take drivers' hands off the wheel.

英国政府认为，从长远来看，自动驾驶技术将改善道路安全，减少排放。但英国汽车协会警告，需要进行更多测试，而且我们不应急着让司机的双手离开方向盘。

词汇表

self-driving 自动驾驶
automated 自动化的
lane-keeping 使车辆保持在车道内
motorways 高速公路
input 参与，投入
speeds 速度
vehicles 车辆
steer 掌方向盘
accelerate 加速
brake 制动，刹车
monitored 被密切注视
wheel 方向盘

阅读理解：请在读完上文后，回答下列问题。

1. True or false? According to the text, the plan is not completely new in practical terms.

2. If the plan moves ahead, how fast are cars with automated lane-keeping technology allowed to go without the drivers' input?

3. What will be one of the first problems encountered if the plan succeeds?

4. What has the AA warned about self-driving technology?

答案  

1. True or false? According to the text, the plan is not completely new in practical terms.
True. In practical terms, it's less than revolutionary.

2. If the plan moves ahead, how fast are cars with automated lane-keeping technology allowed to go without the drivers' input?
Up to 37 miles per hour, provided the technology being used has official approval.

3. What will be one of the first problems encountered if the plan succeeds?
Finding cars able to benefit from the change will be difficult at first.

4. What has the AA warned about self-driving technology?
It has warned that more testing is needed and that we should not be in a race to take drivers' hands off the wheel.