Click
Here to return to the previous page
Paul Sparks
- Online English Lesson Plans, Lesson Material and Ideas for "Culture of
English Speaking Countries Lessons", Xiangtan Normal University...
WESTERN CULTURE AND SOCIETY: THE UNITED KINGDOM (UK) -
British Transport
British Roads:
Drivers in the UK drive on the left side of the road! In the UK many people
drive their own car, therefore there is a large amount of traffic on the
roads. There are different types of roads - major roads are normally called
motorways and have 3 lanes of traffic on either side. The motorways are all
given numbers, for example "M1", M6" etc. Main roads are
called "A roads" and normally have a dual carriageway (2 lanes of
traffic on either side as shown in the picture). The "A roads" are
also given numbers, for example "A1", A1234" etc. Local roads
with one lane for each side of traffic are called "B roads" and
are numbered "B2211" etc.
In the UK anyone over
the age of 17 can drive a car provided that they pass a driving test and get
a driving license. Traffic in the UK is controlled by a set of rules known
as the "Highway Code". The Highway Code tells drivers and
pedestrians (walkers) what they can and can't do on the roads.
Roads in the UK have
many "zebra crossings" or pedestrian crossings. When a person
walks across the street on a crossing the traffic has to stop to allow them
to cross. Many crossings are controlled by traffic lights, people can press
the button on the lights to stop the traffic.
Trucks:
Britain's roads have many delivery lorries travelling around the country.
They normally display the name of the company or brand of goods. Many
retailers use road as their preferred method of transport.
Vans:
These are bigger than cars, and used to deliver smaller goods. They are also
used by many businesses.
Motorbikes:
In the UK anyone over the age of 16 can ride a motorbike. British law says
that anyone on a motorbike must wear a crash helmet when riding.
Bicycles:
Bikes aren't used as much in the UK due to the uneven landscape and also
because of the wet weather. Bikes are used more by children or by people as
a method of exercise.
Buses:
In the UK buses are owned by private companies. Many roads have a separate
lane which can only be used by busses, taxis and cyclists. London buses are
always red, but busses in other areas can be any colour.
Taxis:
In London taxis are very large and always black. They are normally known as
"Black Cabs". Taxis in other areas can be any type of car and any
colour.
British Railways:
Like other services the railways are also private companies. The train
companies operate different train routes. The types of trains vary - there
are electric trains as well as diesel trains. There are passenger trains as
well as goods trains. British trains are very fast, because the UK is a
small country there are no sleeper trains. The newest trains in the UK are
the ones which are operated by "Eurostar", these are the trains
which travel between England and France. They only take 20 minutes to pass
under the Channel, people can travel on them as well as drive their cars
onto the trains.
Emergency Vehicles:
The emergency services use very modern transport, the ambulances are
normally white with bright colours used to make people aware of the
ambulance. Fire engines are always red. Police cars very in each region,
however they are normally white with bright colours, the type of car will
vary also. The emergency vehicles all use blue lights.
Traffic Laws:
The road laws in the UK are very strict, anyone caught speeding, driving
dangerously or drunk driving will be punished with a fine, loss of licence
or prison. Traffic police patrol the roads and speed cameras (shown in the
picture below) are used on roads to catch people speeding.
There is also wide
spread use of surveillance cameras, known as CCTV cameras (Closed Circuit
Television). Roads will be monitored using cameras as shown below to watch
roads and check on any build up of traffic or any accidents.
|