ESL Podcast 591 - Handling a Traffic Stop

siren - the part of a police car, ambulance, or fire truck that makes a very loud noise to let drivers know that they should move aside and allow it to go through

When I hear a siren, I know I should slow down or stop my car until the police car has passed me.

to flash - for a light to turn on and off, on and off

Do you think the Christmas tree lights would look better if they were always on, or if they were flashing?

to pull off the road - to drive one's car to the side of the road and stop, usually because one is having mechanical problems or at a police officer's request

When we saw smoke coming out of the car, we pulled off the road and opened the hood of the car.

driver's license - a small, flat, rectangular piece of paper or plastic that shows one has permission to drive a vehicle

In most states, you can get your driver's license when you are 16 years old.

proof of insurance - a document showing that one has purchased automobile insurance as required by law

Our proof of insurance expires at the end of the month, but the insurance company will send us a new one as soon as we make another payment.

car registration - a document showing that one has registered one's car with the state's department of motor vehicles

How much do we have to pay for car registration each time we buy a new car?

glove compartment - the box that opens in the front of the car, next to the passenger's knees, where one can keep important documents, maps, and more

Lauren keeps paper towels in the glove compartment, just in case something spills in the car.

stop sign - a red, octagonal (eight-sided), metal sign placed on the right-hand side of the road at intersections, letting drivers know they should stop their car

If two cars stop at a stop sign at the same time, the car on the right goes first.

to sit tight - to wait somewhere, usually seated, for a period of time without moving or going anywhere else

Students, I have to make some extra copies of the test. Please sit tight and wait quietly until I come back.

license plate number - the large letters and numbers on a rectangular piece of metal at the front and back of a car, used to identify a car in the state's registration system

Justine bought a customized license plate number: "1DERFUL," meaning "wonderful."

outstanding warrant - a document that allows police to arrest someone, but that hasn't yet been used, probably because the person has not been found by the police

There's an outstanding warrant for Eve's arrest. Apparently, she has more than 50 unpaid parking tickets!

to run (a stoplight or stop sign) - to not stop one's car when one is legally required to do so

Yoshio wasn't paying attention and ran a stoplight, almost hitting a car that was coming the other way.

citation - a ticket; a piece of paper from the police, showing that one has broken the law and should pay a fine (money) and/or go to court

Elizabeth got a citation for driving without wearing her seatbelt.

to let (someone) off - to forgive someone, not giving him or her the punishment that he or she should have received

When Karen came home really late last weekend, her parents let her off, but if it happens again they're going to take away her car.

warning - a written or verbal statement that something bad or dangerous may happen, intended to prevent that thing from happening in the future

At the beach, you can see many signs with warnings about dangerously high waves.

to toss - to throw something, especially to throw something away

Marlys tossed the peanut shells as she walked and ate, leaving a trail of shells behind her.

incriminating evidence - proof that one has done something wrong or illegal

The lawyer held up a bloody knife as incriminating evidence against the murderer.