RTA

Meanings

1. 1abbreviationcountableBritishformal

   Road traffic accident: a crash or collision involving vehicles on a road.

   Grammar: Countable noun: three RTAs were reported.

   Patterns

   • injured in an RTA
   • an RTA on the motorway

   Two people were injured in an RTA on the motorway.

   The ambulance service attended an RTA near the village.

   Doctors treat many RTAs in the winter months.

2. 2abbreviationbefore a nounbusiness

   Ready to assemble: describing furniture sold in flat pieces that the buyer puts together.

   Grammar: Usually used before a noun: RTA furniture.

   Patterns

   • RTA furniture
   • RTA cabinets

   I bought RTA kitchen cabinets to save money.

   RTA furniture arrives in a flat box with instructions.

   The store sells RTA bookcases and desks.

3. 3abbreviationcountable

   Regional transport authority, or a similar body that manages public transport in an area.

   Grammar: Often written in a proper name, such as the Dubai RTA.

   Patterns

   • the RTA

   The RTA announced new bus routes for the city.

   You must register the car with the RTA.

   The RTA plans a new tram line.

Word forms

Common combinations

fatal RTA

A fatal RTA closed the road for hours.

involved in an RTA

The driver was involved in an RTA last night.

RTA furniture

RTA furniture is cheap and easy to move.

RTA injuries

RTA injuries fell after the new speed limit.

Synonyms and how they differ

car crash

Car crash is everyday speech, while RTA is official wording used by police and hospitals.

collision

Collision is a general word for any crash and is not limited to roads.

flat-pack

Flat-pack is the common British term for furniture sold ready to assemble.

Word family

road traffic accident noun

the full phrase

RTC abbreviation

road traffic collision, a more modern term

RTAs abbreviation

plural form

Commonly confused: RTA or RTC?

Practice

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