Plan this opinion essay about transport with the ideas and outline below, write it on a 40-minute timer, then compare it with a band-8 model answer.
You should spend about 40 minutes on this task.
Write about the following topic:
The best way to improve road safety is to impose heavier fines and tougher punishments on drivers who break traffic laws.
To what extent do you agree or disagree?
Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience.
Write at least 250 words.
GoPrep wrote this practice question in the style of the exam. It is not an official IELTS question.
Pick two or three points from one or both columns. You do not need all of them, and your own examples score better than memorised ones.
Spend the first few minutes planning, then write.
0 words of 250 minimum
Your answer stays on this page only. Copy it before you leave.
Write your own answer first, then compare: how it answers the exact question, what each paragraph does, and which phrases you could borrow.
Some people believe that the most effective way to improve road safety is to impose heavier fines and harsher punishments on drivers who break the law. I agree only partly, since punishment is just one of several necessary measures.
There is a good argument for tougher penalties. Drivers who risk fines of a few pounds may be willing to speed or use a phone, while a large fine or the loss of a licence concentrates the mind. Countries that have introduced severe sanctions for drink-driving, including long bans and even imprisonment for repeat offenders, have seen deaths on the road fall considerably. Fines that are proportionate to income are also more effective, because a wealthy driver may regard a small fixed fine as insignificant. Punishment sends a clear message that dangerous behaviour is unacceptable, and it keeps the most reckless drivers off the road.
However, penalties alone are not enough. Many accidents occur because of poor road design, inadequate lighting or vehicles in bad condition, and no fine will correct these. Enforcement is crucial too: if drivers believe they are unlikely to be caught, they will ignore even severe penalties, so the use of speed cameras and police patrols matters more than the size of the fine. Education also plays a role. Compulsory driving courses, campaigns that show the consequences of crashes, and stricter tests for new drivers all help to change attitudes before offences happen. Finally, safer cars with automatic braking reduce the impact of human error.
In conclusion, heavier fines can discourage dangerous driving, but they work best alongside effective policing, better infrastructure and education. For this reason, I do not agree that punishment is the single best solution.
| Phrase | Meaning |
|---|---|
| traffic offence | breaking a driving rule |
| heavy fine | large money penalty |
| speed camera | device recording speeding |
| road traffic law | rules for drivers |
| driver education | teaching safe driving |
| law enforcement | making people obey laws |
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