ESL Vocabulary – Driving and Traffic (vocab list, definitions, sample sentences, and review worksheet)

(vocab list, definitions, sample sentences, and review worksheet)

 

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VOCAB LIST: Driving and Traffic

passenger (n.) – a person who is not driving; the side of a car opposite the driver

• • Luckily there were no passengers on the bus when it got into an accident.

 

seatbelt (n.) – a safety belt in cars that protects drivers and passengers

• • I always ask passengers in my car to wear their seatbelts.

 

carpool (n.) – a group of people who ride (to work, etc.) in the same car to save money

• • We started a carpool at my company so we can protect the environment while saving money.

 

lane (n.) – a single “path” in the road (large highways often have several lanes on each side)

• • In the US, the right lane is for slower drivers, and the left lane is for passing.
  • Some highways have a special “carpool lane” for cars with 2 or more people.

 

speed limit (n.) – the fastest speed that you are allowed to drive on a road

• • The speed limit on this highway is 65 miles per hour.

 

residential area (n.) – an area with many houses where many people live

• • In residential areas, the speed limit is 25 miles per hour.

 

fine (n.) – money that you have to pay if you are caught breaking a law

• • I have to pay a $100 fine because I was caught speeding in a residential area.

 

parking space (n.) – a place where you can park a single car

parking lot (n.) – an area with many parking spaces

• • When you go to the grocery store, you can park in their parking lot. There are usually many parking spaces available.

 

traffic jam (n.) – when too many cars are on the road and the traffic stops moving

• • I was late to work because there was a traffic jam on the highway.

 

pedestrian (n.) – a person who is walking (on a sidewalk, or across a street, for example)

• • You must be careful when you’re driving in the city because there are many pedestrians.

 

intersection (n.) – where two or more roads meet (there is usually a stoplight (or traffic light) at intersections)

• • You must be careful when you’re driving in the city because there are many pedestrians.

 

crosswalk (US) / zebra crossing (UK) – the white stripes at intersections where pedestrians cross the road

• • Pedestrians must use the crosswalk when crossing the street. Otherwise, they may get a fine.

 

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VOCAB REVIEW: Driving and Traffic

Fill in the blanks with the words below:

passenger / seatbelt / carpool / lane

speed limit / residential / fine / parking lot

traffic jam / pedestrian / intersection / crosswalk

 

1. Slow down! The _______________ on this road is only 40 miles per hour!

 

2. Pedestrians should always use the ____________ when crossing the street.

 

3. I had to park on the street because the restaurant’s ____________ was full.

 

4. Because there are often children playing in _____________ areas, the speed limit is usually very slow.

 

5. Every morning there is a ____________ on the way to work, so I often have to wait in my car for a long time, and sometimes I’m even late to work.

 

6. I don’t want you to ride in my car because the seatbelt on the __________ side is broken.

 

7. If you ride in my car, we can take the __________ lane, and then we won’t get stuck in a traffic jam.

 

8. I saw a terrible accident last night. A car hit a _______________ at a crosswalk.

 

9. A police officer pulled me over for driving over the speed limit. I have to pay a __________  of $50.

 

10. There is no traffic light at this ____________, so there are often accidents here.

 

11. This highway has four _________ on each side because many people use it to go to work.

 

12. I always wear my __________ when I am driving, because it can save my life if I get into an accident.