The Intelligent Transport team at Newcastle University have turned an electric car into a mobile laboratory named “DriveLAB” in order to understand the challenges faced by older drivers and to discover where the key stress points are.
Research shows that giving up driving is one of the key reasons for a fall in health and well-being among older people, leading to them becoming more isolated(隔绝) and inactive.
Led by Professor Phil Blythe, the Newcastle team are developing in-vehicle technologies for older drivers which they hope could help them to continue driving into later life.
These include custom-made navigation(导航) tools, night vision systems and intelligent speed adaptations. Phil Blythe explains: “For many older people, particularly those living alone or in the country, driving is important for preserving their independence, giving them the freedom to get out and about without having to rely on others.”
“But we all have to accept that as we get older our reactions slow down and this often results in people avoiding any potentially challenging driving conditions and losing confidence in their driving skills. The result is that people stop driving before they really need to.”
Dr. Amy Guo, the leading researcher on the older driver study, explains: “The DriveLAB is helping us to understand what the key points and difficulties are for older drivers and how we might use technology to address these problems.”
“For example, most of us would expect older drivers always go slower than everyone else but surprisingly, we found that in 30mph zones they struggled to keep at a constant speed and so were more likely to break the speed limit and be at risk of getting fined. We’re looking at the benefits of systems which control their speed as a way of preventing that.”
“We hope that our work will help with technological solutions(解决方案) to ensure that older drivers stay safer behind the wheel.”

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1.What is the purpose of the DriveLAB?

A To explore new means of transport.

B To design new types of cars.

C To find out older drivers’problems.

D To teach people traffic rules.

解析：选C。细节理解题。根据文章第一段in order to understand the challenges faced by older drivers and to discover where the key stress points are可知，研制DriveLAB的目的是为了了解老司机面临的挑战和发现关键压力点的来源，故选C。

2.Why is driving important for older people according to Phil Blythe?

A It keeps them independent.

B It helps them save time.

C It builds up their strength.

D It cures their mental illnesses.

解析：选A。推理判断题。根据文章第四段最后一句For many older people, particularly those living alone or in the country, driving is important for preserving their independence, giving them the freedom to get out and about without having to rely on others可知，能够开车是老年人能够保持独立生活和自由外出的重要条件，故选A。

3.What do researchers hope to do for older drivers?

A Improve their driving skills.

B Develop driver-assist technologies.

C Provide tips on repairing their cars.

D Organize regular physical checkups.

解析：选B。推理判断题。根据文意最后三段how we might use technology to address these problems以及We’re looking at the benefits of systems which control their speed as a way of preventing that和We hope that our work will help with technological solutions(解决方案) to ensure that older drivers stay safer behind the wheel.可知，研究人员希望能够通过研制一些司机辅助技术来帮助老年司机延长驾龄、享受更多的独立生活，故选B。

4.What is the best title for the text?

A A new Model Electric Car.

B A Solution to Traffic Problems.

C Driving Services for Elders.

D Keeping Older Drivers on the Road.

解析：选D。主旨大意题。文意主要介绍了科研人员通过把电动车改装成一款“DriveLAB”来研究如何帮助解决老年司机在幵车时候遇到的问题，以便延长驾龄，享受独立生活的时间，提高他们的生活质量，故选D。