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DRIVING. Hello! Now I'm going to tell you about driving in Britain.
When Nick was seventeen he started taking driving lessons.
He had often watched his parents drive, sitting beside either his mother or his father so,
when he took his test, he was able to pass. Now he has a driving licence.
This is the first time he is taking the car out on his own. He's going to play tennis,
so first he puts his sports bag with his tennis racket into the car boot.
Then he sits down in the driving seat, which is on the right of the car because in Britain
people drive on the left. Before starting the engine, he knows he has
to make sure the car is out of gear. Then he must put his foot down on the clutch and
put the lever into first gear. Before driving off, he must look in the rear
mirror to make sure nothing is coming, put on the indicator to signal he is pulling
out, take off the handbrake and put his foot gently on the accelerator.
Then, with both hands holding the steering wheel, keeping them more or less in the same
position, he moves out into the traffic. He can then change gear and increase speed.
Of course, he must be careful not to exceed the speed limit, which is thirty miles an
hour in a built-up area. He must also be prepared to stop if he sees
anyone on a pedestrian crossing. He must keep his eye on the rear mirror, and
look quickly at the side mirrors so that he knows what is going on behind him.
He must also look out for road signs warning about crossroads, roundabouts, traffic lights,
bends in the road or other hazards and, of course, he must also watch the road ahead.
There are so many things to remember. Oh dear! There's a policeman signalling him
to stop. Surely he has done everything right! He slows down and pulls into the side of the
road, right in front of the policeman. "You aren't wearing your seat belt, sir. I'm
afraid you'll have to pay a fine." So there was something he forgot!
Bye! That's all for now.