英语听力精选进阶版 13898

"Draconian¹" drunk cycling law in Poland

Summary

11 September 2012

Ministers in Poland are considering changing the country's law on drunk cycling. More than 200,000 people have been given prison sentences since the law was adopted 12 years ago.

Reporter:

Adam Easton

Report

It's exercise time for the inmates² at this semi-open prison on the outskirts³ of Warsaw. Among the prisoners is 41-year-old Slawomir. He'd cycled to buy groceries when he bumped into a friend he'd not seen since his schooldays. They drank a few beers, and Slawomir was caught by the police on his way home. He says he doesn't feel like a criminal.

Slawomir, prisoner: 

"I think this is too strict. I have a family, a 9-year-old son, and all of a sudden this has happened. My family is very sad. It's my daughter's wedding on Saturday and I don't know if I can go, probably not. I think a different type of punishment would be more useful."

The alcohol limit for both cycling and driving is low, just one beer and you can be over it. Most offenders⁴ on bicycles are usually fined and banned from cycling. If you can't pay, or break the ban even while sober, you'll probably end up in prison. Pawel Moczydlowski, the former head of the Polish Prison Service, says the law is both draconian and ineffective.

Pawel Moczydlowski, former head of the Polish Prison Service: 

"This is a crazy policy and we have overcrowded prisons. For me it's not possible to accept this law because the people who are drunk and they are on the bicycle usually they are alcoholic⁵. These people are sick and the reaction should be to treat these people, not to punish these people."

For almost a decade, there's often been more drunk cyclists in Polish prisons than drunk drivers. In terms of the law, one cycling enthusiasts⁶' group says, Poland is the Saudi Arabia of Europe.

1 draconian   

adj.严苛的；苛刻的；严酷的；龙一样的

参考例句：

• You can't expect the people to obey such draconian regulations.你不能指望人民服从如此严苛的规定。
• The city needs a draconian way of dealing with robbers.这个城市需要一个严苛的办法来对付强盗。

2 inmates   

n.囚犯( inmate的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• One of the inmates has escaped. 被收容的人中有一个逃跑了。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• The inmates were moved to an undisclosed location. 监狱里的囚犯被转移到一个秘密处所。 来自《简明英汉词典》

3 outskirts   

n.郊外，郊区

参考例句：

• Our car broke down on the outskirts of the city.我们的汽车在市郊出了故障。
• They mostly live on the outskirts of a town.他们大多住在近郊。

4 offenders   

n.冒犯者( offender的名词复数 )；犯规者；罪犯；妨害…的人（或事物）

参考例句：

• Long prison sentences can be a very effective deterrent for offenders. 判处长期徒刑可对违法者起到强有力的威慑作用。
• Purposeful work is an important part of the regime for young offenders. 使从事有意义的劳动是管理少年犯的重要方法。

5 alcoholic   

adj.（含）酒精的，由酒精引起的；n.酗酒者

参考例句：

• The alcoholic strength of brandy far exceeds that of wine.白兰地的酒精浓度远远超过葡萄酒。
• Alcoholic drinks act as a poison to a child.酒精饮料对小孩犹如毒药。

6 enthusiasts   

n.热心人，热衷者( enthusiast的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• A group of enthusiasts have undertaken the reconstruction of a steam locomotive. 一群火车迷已担负起重造蒸汽机车的任务。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• Now a group of enthusiasts are going to have the plane restored. 一群热心人计划修复这架飞机。 来自新概念英语第二册