【Unlocking Word Meanings】
今日の単語・フレーズ
Read the following words/expressions found in today’s article.
1. market /ˈmɑr kɪt/ (n.) – refers to people interested in buying something
Example: There is a market for crude oil in most countries.
2. gadget /ˈgædʒ ɪt/ (n.) – an electronic device
Example: He keeps his gadget in his pocket.
3. assault /əˈsɔlt/ (n.) – the act of attacking someone
Example: The employee was accused of sexual assault.
4. tolerance /ˈtɒl ər əns / (n.) – a fair and permissive attitude towards something
Example: Police officers observed maximum tolerance for the protestors.
5. privacy /ˈpraɪ və si / (n.) – the state of being hidden from public view
Example: John likes his privacy very much.
【Article】
ニュース記事
Read the text below.
Dashboard cameras are starting to become increasingly popular around the world.
Commonly called dashcams, these gadgets are installed inside a car and are used to record what happens around it. The car accessory has a growing demand in markets like Australia and Europe. In Southeast Asia, Singapore’s largest taxi company has already installed 16,600 dashcams in their vehicles. This device is so popular that Papago, a Taiwanese manufacturer, sells about one million units a year to countries like China, Japan, Russia, and the United States.
The cameras gained popularity back in 2012 when a video of reckless driving recorded with a dashcam spread online. Thereafter, other uncommon sights captured by dashcams have surfaced. One example is the meteorite falling in Russia back in 2013. Another is the TransAsia plane that crashed on a busy highway in Taiwan.
Normally, the videos recorded are used when claiming insurance. But now, police officers use the videos as proof during investigations. One example is how a military veteran was falsely arrested for an assault on a police officer. After a dashcam video proved his innocence, the man was released soon afterwards.
Despite its popularity and general tolerance from most people, there are negative opinions about dashcams. Some people find their use as a breach of privacy. In one occasion in Germany back in 2014, a judge refused to accept the video presented as proof in a traffic accident case because the video violated a person’s right to privacy.
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【Viewpoint Discussion】
ディスカッションテーマ
Enjoy a discussion with your tutor.
Discussion A
· Would you consider buying a dashcam? Why or why not?
· How do you think dashcams can affect road safety? Please explain your answer.
Discussion B
· Do you think the government should require the use of dashcams? Kindly explain your answer.
· What other car features do you think can help ensure road safety?
