Traffic and Traffic Accidents - English for Police
Example Sentences
Pulling over drivers
- Can I see your driver's licence and passport?
- Have you been drinking tonight?
- How much have you had to drink?
- How fast do you think you were going?
- Do you know what the speed limit is?
- Is this a rental car?
- You were driving too fast.
- You broke the speed limit.
- You were driving on the wrong side of the road.
- You're driving the wrong way in a one-way street.
- You were travelling too close to the car in front of you.
- You cut off another car.
- You didn't obey the traffic signals.
- You aren't wearing your seatbelt.
- You aren't allowed to park here.
- I'm going to keep your driving licence and give you a ticket. You can go to the police station to pay the fine. They will give your driving licence back to you.
Questions police ask an injured driver
- Are you hurt?
- Can you stand up/move?
- Where does it hurt most?
- Don't worry. We've called an ambulance.
- How did the accident happen?
- Who was at fault?
- What did the other car look like?
- Is there someone you want to call?
Sample Conversation
A Japanese police officer pulls over an American driver on the highway for speeding...
Police: Can I see your driver's license please?
Man: Ah, yeah. I think it's in my pocket. No. Maybe my wallet. Uh. Yeah here.
Police: Do you know how fast you were driving?
Man: No, sorry. It's a rental car. I'm not used to it.
Police: Have you been drinking tonight, Mr. Davidson?
Man: I had one or two drinks. I'm okay to drive, though. I know my limit.
Police: How long have you been in Japan?
Man: A few weeks, why?
Police: It seems you are unaware of our zero tolerance for drinking and driving.
Man: I'm not drunk. I'll blow into a breathalizer.
Police: In Japan you cannot operate a vehicle after consuming any alcohol.
Man: Oh, I didn't know that.
Police: You were also going over the speed limit, Mr. Davidson. I'm going to have to ask you to step out of your vehicle and get into my car.
Man: This is crazy. But what about my car?
Police: We'll have the rental car towed to the agency. When you're in our country you have to respect our rules.