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The deadly crash in Arizona involving an autonomous vehicle operated by Uber Technologies Inc. brings public attention to a pedestrian-safety problem that is setting worse in an era of constant smart phone use and an increase in dangerous driving.
Pedestrians were victims of about 15% of traffic fatalities (意外的死亡事故) in2017, with about 6,000pedestrian deaths representing a level not seenin25years, according to are port released last month. More broadly, regulators are expecting a sudden rise in traffic deaths that follows a decade-long improvement in highway safety. The association estimates pedestrian fatalities rose 27%from2007 to2016, a period during which the broader traffic-fatality number was mostly falling. Overall fatalities, however, have been rising as well in recent years as drivers deal with increasing distractions in their cars and Americans put more miles on their vehicles during the period of a strong economy and low gasoline prices.
Companies like Uber, General Motors Co. And Alphabet Inc. are developing driver less cars, partially motivated by the potential for fewer car accidents. These companies say computer-piloted vehicles will make better decisions than those operated by humans. In the Uber accident on Sunday night, the driver less car hit and killed a woman crossing the street. The incident is still under review, and Uber has said it is cooperating with investigators.
Russ Martin, director of government relations for the Governors Highway Safety Association, said “there has been an increase in both the number of people walking and driving, leading to more exposure for pedestrians, not to mention that more and more people are using smart phones both while driving and walking. ”
Meanwhile, drinking driving continues to be a problem, and there has been arise in drugged driving. In traffic accidents in which fatally in jured drivers were tested for drugs, the detection rate was 43%in2015, compared with 28%in2005.
The time of day and where a pedestrian is walking appear to be factors. In2016, 75% of pedestrian fatalities occurred after dark and more than70%occurred in travel lanes away from intersections.
Research is being done to reduce the number of people struck by cars. Pilot programs are underway in certain states to study how various factors—from stoplights to speed limits to car design—might contribute to accidents.
Missy Cummings, a professor of mechanical engineering and material science at Duke University, has cautioned Congress on the risk of rushing to promote self-driving vehicles on public roadways. She is studying ways to alarm pedestrians via an application that an autonomous car is about to cross their path. She is also doing tests to determine whether pedestrians are likely to act differently in the presence of self-driving vehicles. “It’s unlikely people will change behavior whether or not a car has wonderful technology on it. If people are willing to walk out in front of the road and think the car will stop, they will still do that in front of an autonomous car. If the technology is degraded, we could have a situation like what happened in Arizona. ”
44.The first paragraph of the passage serves as______.
A. An explanation of the keywords B. a statement of the writer’s opinion
C.a display of writer’s attitude D.an introduction to the topic
45.According to the passage, which of the following is NOT the reason for the rise of over all fatalities in recent years?
A.Drivers who drink alcohol or take drugs are increasing.
B.Driver less cars have the potential for more car accidents.
C.Drivers are driving more often and for longer distances.
D.Drivers are facing more and more distractions while driving.
46.What does Russ Martin imply inParagraph4?
A.Smart phones have become a major distraction.
B.The number of people walking and driving rise.
C.Pedestrians fail to react timely in face of cars.
D.Drivers and pedestrians fail too bey the rules.
47.Why is “Arizona”mentioned in the last paragraph?
A.To attract the readers’ attention and hold them.
B.To make the readers aware of the importance of rules.
C.To emphasize the technology should not be degraded.
D.To make the writer’s tone seem relaxed and humorous.
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