Self-driving cars are no longer just science fiction. In China, robot taxis now run in many cities, and more and more cars have “smart driving” systems. But who is responsible when a self-driving car breaks the law? A new law may give the answer.
On August 25, China’s lawmakers reviewed a draft of the Road Traffic Safety Law. This draft has a special new part about self-driving cars. The most important rule: when a car is in self-driving mode and breaks traffic rules, the car company is responsible — not the driver. If the system is off, the driver is responsible as usual.
The draft also deals with other everyday problems. For example, it forbids “blind driving,” which means using a phone or watching videos while driving. It also sets new speed limits for electric bicycles. E-bikes can now ride at up to 20 kilometers per hour in bike lanes, instead of 15. All riders must wear helmets. And cars with digital licenses no longer need to carry paper ones.
Why are these changes important? First, they give clear rules for new technology. When companies know they are responsible for accidents, they will work harder to make self-driving safer. Second, the rules protect ordinary people. Looking at a phone for a few seconds on the highway can cause a terrible accident. Stricter rules help everyone stay safe.
Of course, laws alone are not enough. Technology keeps changing fast, so the rules must be updated again and again. But this draft is a good start. It shows that China wants to welcome new technology and, at the same time, keep people safe.
The road of change is never smooth. Yet with clear rules and safe technology, the future of driving may be easier and safer for everyone.
Words to know:
- self-driving (自动驾驶的)
- responsible (负责的)
- draft (草案)
- forbid (禁止)
- speed limit (限速)
- helmet (头盔)
- accident (事故)
- update (更新；修订)
长难句拆解 · 时间状语从句与 which 定语从句
① When a car is in self-driving mode and breaks traffic rules, the car company is responsible — not the driver. 主干是 the car company is responsible（责任在车企）。句首 When 引导时间状语从句，从句内部由 and 并列两个谓语 is 与 breaks，共用同一个主语 a car；破折号后的 not the driver 是对主干的追加否定，相当于 and the driver is not responsible，这种破折号补充在新闻英语里极为常见。
② For example, it forbids “blind driving,” which means using a phone or watching videos while driving. 主干是 it forbids “blind driving”（它禁止「盲驾」）。逗号后的 which 引导非限制性定语从句，先行词是 “blind driving”；从句中的 means 后接动名词短语 using a phone or watching videos，两者由 or 并列，while driving 是省略主语的时间状语，相当于 while one is driving。
同义替换 · 雅思阅读利器
题干与原文之间隔着一层「同义变装」。先抓信号词，再回原文找替身，定位更快更稳。本文可迁移的替换组：
- science fiction → the stuff of sci-fi films
- is responsible → bears the responsibility / is to blame
- reviewed a draft → examined a proposed version
- forbids → bans / prohibits
- sets new speed limits → imposes fresh speed restrictions
- the rules must be updated → the regulations need to be revised
- keep people safe → keep the public out of harm’s way
阅读自测 · 3 题
- 判断（T / F / NG） — Under the draft, the driver is responsible when a car is in self-driving mode and breaks traffic rules.
- 简答（不超过 6 个词） — How fast can e-bikes ride in bike lanes now?
- 判断（T / F / NG） — The draft requires all riders to wear helmets.
参考答案与解析
- F — 原文明确写「when a car is in self-driving mode and breaks traffic rules, the car company is responsible — not the driver」，责任人被掉包，属典型的「偷换主体」式干扰项。
- Up to 20 kilometers per hour. — 第三段「E-bikes can now ride at up to 20 kilometers per hour in bike lanes, instead of 15」，注意「instead of 15」是旧的限速，不能答成 15。
- T — 原文「All riders must wear helmets」，all 与题目表述一致，属原文直述。
中文译文
自动驾驶汽车已不再是科幻小说里的情节。在中国，机器人出租车如今在许多城市运营，越来越多的汽车配备了「智能驾驶」系统。但当自动驾驶汽车违法时，该由谁负责？一部新法律可能给出答案。
8月25日，中国立法者审议了《道路交通安全法》修订草案。草案中新增了一个关于自动驾驶汽车的专门章节。最重要的一条规则是：当汽车处于自动驾驶模式并违反交规时，责任在车企，而不在驾驶员。如果系统关闭，则驾驶员照常负责。
草案还处理了其他日常问题。例如，它禁止「盲驾」，即在驾驶时使用手机或观看视频。它也为电动自行车设定了新的限速：在自行车道上，电动自行车的时速上限从15公里提高到20公里。所有骑行者必须佩戴头盔。而使用电子证照的汽车，不再需要随车携带纸质证照。
这些变化为何重要？首先，它们为新技术提供了清晰的规则。当企业知道自己要为事故负责，就会更努力地让自动驾驶更安全。其次，这些规则保护普通人。在高速公路上低头看几秒钟手机，就可能酿成惨烈事故。更严格的规定有助于每个人保持安全。
当然，单靠法律还不够。技术变化飞快，规则必须不断更新。但这部草案是个良好的开端。它表明，中国既想拥抱新技术，又想保障人民安全。
变革之路从来不会一帆风顺。然而，有了清晰的规则和安全的科技，驾驶的未来对每个人而言或许会更轻松、更安全。