美国人的开车习惯

石继忠

Its not that theres no public transportation in America. Many cities have taxis， buses and subways to help commuters1 get to and from work. Some large universities even have buses to take students to classes across campus. But most people find it much more convenient to drive， even if they have to deal with traffic. Nowadays busy families often have more than one vehicle2. Many people view their car as a status3 symbol. But no matter what their social status is， people without wheels feel tied down.

美国并不是没有公共交通工具，很多都市都有出租车、公交车和地铁帮助上班族上下班。有些规模大的大学甚至有公交车在校园里载送学生去上课。不过大部分的人还是觉得开车更方便，即使他们不得不面对交通拥挤的问题。现在忙碌的家庭通常拥有一辆以上的车。很多人把车子视为地位的象征，但是不管他们的社会地位如何，没有车的人往往觉得很受束缚。

Ten Commandments4 of Good Driving in America：

在美国优良驾驶的十大诫：

1. Yield5 to vehicles who have the right of way. 礼让有优先权的车子。

2. Dont cut in front of other vehicles. 不超车。

3. Drive within the speed limit. 行车不超速。

4. Obey all road signs and police officers. 遵守所有的路标和交通警察的指挥。

5. Pull over to the side of the road when you hear a siren6. 听到警笛声时，立即在路边停车。

6. Stop completely at red lights and stop signs. 遇到红灯和停止标志时要完全停下来。

7. Yield to pedestrians7 in crosswalk. 在人行横道上要礼让行人。

8. Park only in a designated8 parking space. 只能在指定的停车区内停车。

9. Use your turn signals when turning or changing lanes. 转弯或换道要打方向灯。

10. Dont drink and drive. 不要酒后驾车。