INT English Podcast #01 – Traffic

1. How do most people travel to work where you live?

I guess either by motorbike or by car. Although there are buses, they are mostly for the tourists.

2. What traffic problems are there in your area?

Well, traffic jams I suppose. It’s a common problem for all major cities. During rush hours, the roads are just packed like sardines, especially in the city center where the traffic is just is super slow. Fortunately, I work mostly in the evening so it’s not too bad though, but for most people, daily commute can be a nightmare sometimes. Besides, I think traffic signs can be another problem. They are really confusing sometimes. For example, the other day, I got pulled over by a cop on my way to work because the usual two-way street that I normally travel on suddenly become one way, and as you can probably guess, I got to pay my fine. Oh, let’s not forget to mention parking. It can be a real hassle to find a parking lot at peak times. You know, it can take a good 30’ just driving around the street to find a place to park, so I wouldn’t recommend driving into the city center if you’re in a rush. 

3. Are there more traffic problems now than in the past?

Well, there are more traffic in general, so I suppose there’s a proportionate rise in the number of problems, but perhaps, the seriousness has decreased as the standard of infrastructure and vehicles have been improved significantly over the years. And we’re moving towards having driverless vehicles in the future so I think there’ll be fewer accidents caused by human factors 

4. Do you think there will be fewer traffic problems in the future where you live?

Well the population of Danang is growing rapidly so I believe there’ll definitely be more traffic congestion, but as I’ve mentioned earlier there will be less serious traffic incidents

5. How do traffic problems affect you?

Well, apart from heavy traffic and struggling for a parking space, it’s not a major issue for me. Since I work for myself, I can always adjust my schedule to avoid rush-hour traffic. 

6. How would you reduce the traffic problems in your area?

Well, I believe introducing the congestion charge would be a good idea. I mean when people have to pay a certain amount of money to enter the city center during peak times, they will be less likely to use their own vehicles and opt for mass transit instead to save the money, or they might change their plan and travel on a different time. London is a great example where people have to pay to enter certain zones in the city during rush hours, and that’s why most citizens use the bus or underground to commute on a daily basis. I think this measure can significantly reduce the amount of traffic in the city and everybody can benefit from that.

• • Traffic jams (countable) = traffic congestion (uncountable)
  • Major cities = big cities = metropoles
  • Rush hours = peak times
  • To be packed like sardines (idiom) = to be very crowded
  • Slow traffic/ heavy/ sluggish traffic >< light traffic 
  • Daily commute (n) – to commute (v)
  • Traffic signs (n)
  • To get pulled over by the police = to get caught by the police
  • To pay the fine
  • To be a real hassle = to be difficult and struggling
  • To be in a rush
  • Driverless vehicles = vehicles that have no driver. 
  • To adjust a schedule = to change a schedule 
  • Congestion charge = the money you have to pay to enter certain areas at rush hours
  • Mass transit = public transport

1. 1. Either A or B/ Neither A or B/ Both A and B
   2. More/less vs More/fewer